Te Tokanganui-a-Noho before restoration work at Te Kūiti Pā - Photo / Te Kūiti Pā facebook
Descendants of Te Tokanganui-a-Noho Marae in Te Kūiti are preparing to reopen their marae complex following the completion of restoration work over the past 12 months.
Built at around 1873, Te Tokanganui-a-Noho has a very unique story being one of the oldest wharenui across the country.
Video credit - MFM (Maniapoto FM)
When the wharenui was built, it was moved to its original home at the mouth of the Mangaōkewa River.
It was then moved to Pukenui Hill at the end of the Te Kūiti township, where it sits now next to the railway lines.
Over the weekend, approximately 60 members of the marae gathered for a working bee ahead of the marae's re-opening this weekend.
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The hau kāinga are expecting hundreds of people attending Te Rā Whakaohooho Ake Anō o Te Tokanganui-a-Noho on January 27.
Starting at 5am, the Ringatū and Ratana churches will conduct karakia before the raising of the flag and mihimihi on the marae ātea. There will also be kai hākari and entertainment before the event concludes at around 11am.
Te Kāea will have more updates throughout the week and a facebook livestream at the re-opening on Sunday