Maraekakaho

{{Short description|Settlement in Hawke's Bay Region, New Zealand}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox settlement

| name = Maraekakaho

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| settlement_type = Settlement

| image_skyline = Maraekakaho Woolshed.jpg

| image_alt =

| image_caption = Woolshed in Maraekakaho

| etymology =

| nickname =

| image_map = {{infobox mapframe|coord={{coord|-39.649|176.618}}|zoom=7}}

| pushpin_map =

| pushpin_map_caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|-39.648668|176.617552|region:NZ_type:city|display=inline,title}}

| subdivision_type = Country

| subdivision_name = New Zealand

| subdivision_type1 = Region

| subdivision_name1 = Hawke's Bay Region

| subdivision_type2 = Territorial authority

| subdivision_name2 = Hastings District

| subdivision_type3 = Ward

| subdivision_name3 = {{ubl|Kahurānaki General Ward||Takitimu Māori Ward}}

| subdivision_type4 = Community

| subdivision_name4 = Hastings District Rural Community

| seat_type = Electorates

| seat = {{ubl|Tukituki|Ikaroa-Rāwhiti (Māori)}}

| leader_title = Territorial Authority

| leader_name = Hastings District Council

| leader_title1 = Regional council

| leader_name1 = Hawke's Bay Regional Council

| population_as_of = 2018

| population_footnotes =

| population_total =

| postal_code_type = Postcode(s)

| postal_code = 4171

| website =

}}

Maraekakaho is a rural settlement in the Hastings District and Hawke's Bay Region of New Zealand's North Island.

The main village was developed by Sir Douglas Maclean in the early 20th century, on a pastoral station established by his father, Sir Donald McLean, during the 19th century. The surrounding area includes lifestyle blocks, vineyards and wineries, orchards and pastoral farms.{{cite web |title=Maraekakaho |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/maraekakaho |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage}}

Maraekakaho is a Māori name, translating as the area (marae) of the culm of the toetoe (kakaho); the grasses were once very common in the area.

A war memorial was set up in the settlement in 1986, commemorating the approximately 100 local men killed during World War I.{{cite web |last1=Austin |first1=Glenn |title=Maraekakaho war memorial |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/maraekakaho-war-memorial |website=nzhistory.govt.nz |publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage |date=2010}}

The {{Proper name|Kereru}} Homestead and Station was established in 1857 on land purchased by the government from local Māori at the base of the Ruahine Ranges. It features mixed terrain, including flat land, rolling hills and ravines.{{cite news |title={{As written|Kereru}} history in print |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11471955 |agency=Hawke's Bay Today |publisher=New Zealand Media and Entertainment |date=27 June 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Joy |title=Winning couple learn from hard lessons |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/drought-recovery/8797354/Winning-couple-learn-from-hard-lessons |agency=Farming Stuff |publisher=stuff.co.nz |date=25 June 2013}}