Hi there! A marae is a special place in New Zealand where Māori people come together for important events and ceremonies. Think of it like your family's living room, but bigger and outside!
The marae is made up of different parts, like a big open grassy area called the "marae ātea" where people can dance and sing, and a big meeting house called a "wharenui". This meeting house has really cool carvings and designs on the outside and inside that tell stories about the Māori culture.
At a marae, people like to show respect by following certain customs, like taking off their shoes before entering the wharenui and speaking politely to everyone there. The Māori culture is all about being kind, respectful, and connected to our families and communities.
Overall, a marae is a very special and important place for Māori people to come together and celebrate their culture and traditions.