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]
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]
Makarika School is a Year 1–8 co-educational state primary school.[7] In 2019, it was a decile 1 school with a roll of 25.[8] [9]