Twenty-five dollars and a dream - the story of Tapu te Ranga marae | A Gallery from Spectrum

An urban marae built from scavenged materials by homeless youth, ex-cons, and gang members in the 1970s in Wellington is struggling to keep its whare open after the council deemed several of its buildings dangerous.

Children who have visited the marae have dubbed it Maori Hogwarts. photo/RNZ Daniela Maoate-Cox

"Those who build the whare are built by the whare" - Bruce Stewart's proverb. Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart.

The foundations for the marae dug by hand. Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart

Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart

Many of the children who visit Tapu te Ranga marae say the marae is like a Maori Hogwarts and Bruce is like Dumbledore. Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart

Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart

The marae is close to the centre of Wellington city but is well hidden by surrounding bush. Photo/RNZ Daniela Maoate-Cox

The marae was a refuge for the homeless, ex-cons and gang members. Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart

Local residents often use the marae lands to walk their pets. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Bruce says he worked himself too hard and spends most of his days confined to a chair occasionally taking a swim at the local pool. Photo/RNZ Tess McClure

Photo/Supplied Bruce Stewart

Photo/RNZ Tess McClure

Bruce's daughter Pare Sannyasi handles most of the day to day operations at the marae. Photo/RNZ Tess McClure

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.

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Twenty-five dollars and a dream - the story of Tapu te Ranga marae