Te Rae was established by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Agency, with funding from the region’s five councils, to support the development of Hawke’s Bay business. We provide affordable meeting and event space and Hawke's Bay's business support agencies are located in the same building, making us a one-stop shop for business support. Te Rae was blessed and opened on 23 February 2024.
We have a number of rooms that can be used for meetings (in person or virtual), seminars, conferences, events, training, mediations, and more. Our prices are all-inclusive, our technology is easy to use, and we can provide you with catering options. We also encourage you to relax in our common areas and enjoy the art, most of which is for sale.
Te Rae is run by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Agency, which was established by local government, iwi/hāpu authorities, and business in 2023. It supports the region to work collaboratively to champion positive economic and social outcomes for all whānau in Hawke’s Bay. HBREDA is based out of Te Rae.
Te Rae is also home to the Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Export NZ, and Business Central. These agencies provide training and advice to businesses to support their growth and development.
The name “Te Rae’’ means ‘’forehead, a meeting of the minds, or strong-minded’’. It references our desire to create a space that fosters the sharing of ideas and collaboration that will support the development of our whole region.
Te Rae was often used in naming villages associated with the principal residence of paramount chiefs. A proverb from local village Pakipaki says:
Ko Te Ihu, Ko Te Rae, Tīkina houhia te rongo: With our nose and forehead brought together peace prevails.
Te Rae references the coming together of minds. The pattern within the logo references the tīwhana, which is a traditional pattern which form parts of a mataora above the eyebrows and below the forehead (te rae). The framing of the tīwhana within the diamond reinforces the notion of two people coming together to share space, thoughts, and ideas from both a front elevation and side profile.
The logo was designed by local architect and artist Alex Heperi (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāpuhi) with graphic design support from Tim Hansen of Fay & Walter Graphic Design Studio.
The concept and colour palette for the interior fitout of Te Rae were created by local architect and artist Alex Heperi (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāpuhi) kaiako and artist Michelle Mataira (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Apa) of Toimairangi, the School of Māori Visual Art based in Heretaunga/Hastings.
Both Alex and Michelle are members of the Iwi Toi Kahungunu Artist Collective, and are invested in increasing cultural competency and the integration of te ao Māori principles and practice into art. Alex and Michelle’s aim was to create a space whose identity reflected the people who work and meet here as well as to reflect the whakapapa and the whenua upon which Te Rae sits.
The colours were influenced by the history of Heretaunga and its economy. Te Rae sits on the old post office site within the historic ‘Railway Reserve’ precinct that pre-dated the township of Hastings. The first post office and railway junction carried the Māori name of Karamū, the name of a native tree common to the area. This name was formally changed to Hastings on 1 January 1874. The cultural economy at that time was built on a thriving textiles industry derived from the cultivation, production, and weaving of muka, the stripped fibre of the harakeke. The colours in Te Rae reflect the natural colours of harakeke and other plants used for dyes and colouring.
The tukutuku designs for the windows, designed by Alex Heperi, reinforce the idea of a collective approach to success. Tukutuku panels are not created by one individual but usually require two or more people working together to finish the pattern. The design is inspired by the waharua kopito pattern, representing the connections that will be formed within Te Rae as well as the manaakitanga that is provided to all entering this space.
Te Rae is being used as a gallery space to show artwork from members of the artist collective, Iwi Toi Kahungunu, which includes graduates from Toimairangi, Toihoukura (Gisborne), and EIT, as well as artwork from current Toimairangi students.
Most of the art is available for purchase. Please ask Te Rae staff if you are interested in purchasing a piece or contact terae@hbreda.co.nz for a price list.
