Makarika

Makarika is a rural community and valley in the Gisborne District of New Zealand's North Island. It is located just south of Ruatoria and Hiruharama, off State Highway 35.^[1] The Penu Pā includes a memorial to Private Parekura Makarini McLean, who was killed in combat in Egypt in 1941, during World War II.^[2]

A post office operated in the valley from 1930 to 1970. It was operated by the Matariki Station farm for most of that time.^[3]

Marae

The area has two marae belonging to hapū of Ngāti Porou iwi. Rongoitekai or Penu Marae and Rongo i te Kai meeting house is a meeting place of Te Aitanga a Mate. Rongohaere or Te Pahou Marae and Rongohaere meeting house is a meeting place of Te Aitanga a Mate and Te Whānau a Rākairoa, and also of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui hapū of Te Whānau a Rutaia.^[4][5]

In October 2020, the Government committed $5,756,639 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade both marae and 27 other Ngāti Porou marae. The funding was expected to create 205 jobs.^[6]

Education

Makarika School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.^[7] It had a roll of 22^[8] as of July 2025.^[8][9][10] The school was established for the Makariki station, and closed in 1925 due to the subdivision of the station.^[11] The subdivision resulted in more demand for the school and it was open again by 1928.^[12]