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. The Penu PÃÂ includes a memorial to Private Parekura Makarini McLean, who was killed in combat in Egypt in 1941, during World War II.
A post office operated in the valley from 1930 to 1970. It was operated by the Matariki Station farm for most of that time.
The area has two marae belonging to hapà « of NgÃÂti 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 WhÃÂnau a RÃÂkairoa, and also of Te WhÃÂnau-ÃÂ-Apanui hapà « of Te WhÃÂnau a Rutaia.
In October 2020, the Government committed $5,756,639 from the Provincial Growth Fund to upgrade both marae and 27 other NgÃÂti Porou marae. The funding was expected to create 205 jobs.
Makarika School is a Year 1âÂÂ8 co-educational state primary school. It had a roll of as of The school was established for the Makariki station, and closed in 1925 due to the subdivision of the station. The subdivision resulted in more demand for the school and it was open again by 1928.