Marae

Marae Review

Just off the Belvedere Road are remains of a few ancient marae. You can just park your car, ATV, or bugster (the preferred mode of transport in these parts) and walk to them. Tetiiroa (sometimes spelled Titiroa and often referred to as the Belvedere marae) has excellent interpretative signs. It's on the edge of a forest, and the "jungle" has taken over: big trees roots have burrowed under the moss-covered stone foundations and trees and vines have sprung up everywhere. A walking track leads through the forest to two smaller marae and the Marae Ahu-o-Mahine with a three-tier altar. A hundred yards or so further along the Belvedere Road are two well-preserved archery platforms, belonging to the Afareaito marae. The sport was considered a sacred game, played by the elite males of the day.