Discover the rich culture and heritage of Tikitiki, a small town on the East Cape.
Tikitiki is a small Māori community in the Waiapu Valley, 145 km north of Gisborne. It is best known for its historic and beautiful St Mary's Church(opens in new window), which was built in 1924 as a memorial to local Māori soldiers who tragically lost their lives in World War I.
The inside of the church is decorated with spectacular Māori carvings, tukutuku (woven panels), and kōwhaiwhai (ornamentation). It is one of the first churches in Aotearoa New Zealand to have been decorated this way. The design is often credited to Sir Apirana Ngata (1874–1950), an influential Māori leader from the region. Sir Apirana Ngata helped lead a movement to revive Māori arts and crafts, which were at risk of being lost at the time of the church’s construction. There is also a small memorial to Sir Apirana Ngata inside the church. Entry to the church is by gold coin donation.
Tikitiki has few amenities, but there is a general store in Ruatōria, 25 km south of Tikitiki.
