Atene is a former village located up the Whanganui River from Whanganui. Originally called Warepakoko, then Kakata, it was renamed by the missionary Richard Taylor in the 19th century as a Maori transliteration of Athens. It was the home of the hapu Ngati Hineoneone of the iwi Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi. A small meeting house called Te Rangi-i-heke-iho, restored by carver Bill Ranginui, is all that remains.