Te Tapuwae is a MÃÂori cemetery at Otenuku Marae in Ruatoki, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. NgÃÂi Tà «hoe tribal leader Takurua Tamarau was buried on marae land in 1958, and subsequently that part of the land became a cemetery for the NgÃÂti Koura hapu of Tà «hoe. Tribal leaders of the NgÃÂi Tà «hoe iwi are traditionally buried there.
In MÃÂori folklore, the cemetery is said to be protected by a powerful tapu which will curse anyone entering the cemetery without permission of the marae kaumÃÂtua. On leaving the sacred cemetery, visitors must always wash their hands with cleansing water.
Tuhoe refer to the buried ground as "Te Tapuwae, Te Urupa à  NgàRangatira à  NgÃÂi Tà «hoeâ ("Te Tapuwae is the elder of the kings of the Tuhoe people")