Photo: Layla Bailey-McDowell / RNZ
After a three-year restoration project, the 101-year-old Te Tii Marae wharenui at Waitangi has reopened its doors.
The marae glow-up includes a paved courtyard, new carvings, and earthquake strengthening - and are just the first stage of planned renovations.
On Monday, 300 attended a dawn service down at the marae, including politicans and iwi leaders.
Chair of the Te Tii Marae, Ngāti Kawa, explains the significance of the whare to local hapū - and the nation.
