marae

marae noun

NZ a traditional Māori tribal meeting place, originally one in the open air, now frequently a purpose-built building
(in Polynesia) an open-air place of worship

Word Origin for marae Māori Examples from the Web for marae Historical Examples of marae

I recognised at once the old priest of the marae, but how changed since I last saw him!

Richard Archer

The people sat there on the marae, silently watching the burning of the dead.

James Cowan

They selected a body, and dragged it off to the cooking-place at the rear of the marae.

James Cowan

Bent found a large number of Maoris, about three hundred, assembled on the marae, the village parade ground.

James Cowan

At length a Maori unfastened the door of the whar, and, taking Bent by the hand, led him out on to the marae.

James Cowan