Occupation of Ngāti Whātua in Tāmaki Makaurau began in the 17th Century under the leadership of our rangatira Tuperiri. As such, every member of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei can trace their whakapapa to Tuperiri and are descended from the 3 hapū: Te Taoū, Ngāoho and Te Uringutu, collectively referred to as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. We have approximately 5,000 registered hapū members throughout Aotearoa and around the world.

Orakei Marae is the heartbeat and cultural hub for Ngāti Whātua Orakei.Orākei Marae is a living, breathing part of the Ngāti Whātua people. Tumutumuwhenua, the ancestor the house represents has connections to all the major tribes throughout Aotearoa. Ōrākei Marae and our whare tupuna Tumutumuwhenua continue to manaaki people from all over the world.