Karangahape Marae stands as a resilient and contemporary expression of cultural identity – designed to serve its community for generations to come.  

The original marae, built in the early 1950s, held deep cultural significance for the local hapū. However, after severe flooding from the nearby Te Touwai Stream caused significant damage, the community made the decision to rebuild on an elevated site. Before construction could begin, the site was raised by 1.5 metres to ensure their new marae would be protected from flooding in the future.

Designed by Brewer Davidson Architects and built by Yakas Construction, the replacement marae combines a bold, modern roof form with exposed structural timber. 

Prolam PL8 Visual Beams and PL8 Visual Posts of varying sizes and lengths – ranging from 3m up to 10.2m – were used extensively throughout the structure’s interior and exterior for structural integrity and visual impact. 

The engineered timber beams were used to form large, exposed rafters in the wharekai (dining hall) and posts were used for the veranda. For the wharenui, builder Marty and his team custom-built raking portals from the posts on site, inserting change of pitch plates into the centre of the posts, and the rafters that form the apex of the gabled roof. 

For Marty, who specialises in building and renovating maraes, the timber’s strength and straightness were critical – particularly for the longer beams. Prolam delivered both. It also delivered a full-build solution. The ability to specify high-quality visual beams and posts for the interior, alongside H3.2-treated members suitable for exterior use, was an important factor when weighing up glulam against alternative products such as LVL.

“The glulam gave us the ‘chunky’ beam look the marae community loves and complemented the marae’s more modern design,” Marty says. 

The team also valued Prolam’s efficiency and attention to detail. The custom-manufactured glulam timber members were supplied exactly as specified, allowing the builders to assemble the structural elements easily and accurately. 

“All my builders like working with it. It’s nice to cut and easy to install - a lot of other products twist and crack.”

Given the cultural significance of the project, the construction team approached the build with a great deal of care and respect. Even making special carpet-lined stands to protect the glulam beams from being damaged during installation. 

“It’s a beautiful product, and we wanted to be careful. So, we made the special stands to hold the beams, so we didn’t scratch them.”

The Karangahape Marae is now a resilient, elevated facility – constructed with care, engineered with integrity, and designed to remain at the heart of its community. 

The completed marae balances contemporary design with tradition. The exposed glulam beams contribute both warmth and durability, creating a space that feels solid, welcoming and built to last. 

“They got all my product there on the date I needed them – which is really important to me. The custom lengths were bang on and they were nice and straight. That’s where Prolam stands up.” 
-  Marty Yakas, Yakas Construction

Images courtesy of Yakas Construction