A ceremony was held yesterday for the customary laying of a mauri stone to signal the start of construction of the redevelopment of Murihiku marae.
Last year, the Government announced $9million towards the $13.5million project which was described by finance minister Grant Robertson as unique.
Runaka whanau and members of the project team gathered at the site in Invercargill for the pre-dawn ceremony.
Murihiku Marae redevelopment project co-ordinator Deborah Paterson said the mauri stone represented the life force or the essence of the building and also of the work which would be done there.
The mauri were used by Maori to prepare people or places to receive mana, she said.
"From this point on, now the building has a life force and so actually has a personality — and we refer to her as she.
"It also guards all the men who are working here and our whanau," she said.
Kaumatua Peggy Peek, who was emotional at the ceremony, said it was because she was one of the only Runaka members there when the marae was established in 1983.
"So, 60years ago, we decided it was time to build a [Maori] community hub for our people. However, then we changed our mind and decided to think bigger and build a marae.
"I was part of the group who decided to build this for our community and I feel honoured."
Waihopai Runaka chairman Cyril Gilroy was pleased to see young and old members of the marae at the ceremony.
He said the new development was exciting and he hoped it would attract many people from the community.
"We hope the community come together to celebrate this marae when it’s open because we are very proud of it.
"Today it is the dawn of a new building. It is the dawn of a new day and it’s the dawn of a new day for our community."
The upgrade included a community facility, social housing, community medical hub and a cultural space.
The work is expected to be completed by December with an official opening early next year.
