Piritahi Marae sits on the waters edge of Te Huruhi Bay (Blackpool) just 5 minutes walk from the main village of Oneroa on Waiheke Island. Native birdlife is plentiful around the Marae and a visit to this peaceful setting will recharge any person. The Marae is actively used by the local community and in that sense is a truly living Marae. Activities occuring regulary on the Marae are Maori language classes, Waka ama (outrigger canoe) paddling, Te Puna Reo ( a preschool play group for children on the Marae), Mau Taiaha (traditional Maori weaponry training) as a form of fitness, and visits by local school children. Past experiences on the Marae have varied greatly and included: Tibetan monks creating a sand mandala, visits by Te Ariki Dame Te Ata-i-rangikahu, week long stays by school groups, health and fitness workshops including Mau Taiaha, Yoga and Waka ama, conferences, team building exercises, day visits by students from elsewhere attending workshops on the Marae, stone symposiums and art workshops. The Marae is currently having the carvings completed for the dressing of its Wharenui (Meeting House) and one can get a sneak preview of the stunning works underway in the Carving Workshop on site. Around the site you will discover artworks ranging from carved stone works to detailed murals within the Marae.