The star compass will consist of 32 carved pou (posts) approximately 2m to 3m high which will denote the various whare (houses) where stars rise and set.
Five 2m limestone rocks will also be part of the compass and will denote its centre and solstice points.
The platform of the star compass will be a 3m raised circle of earth 30m in diameter which will allow visitors to better see rising stars from the eastern horizon.
A re-planting project of pathways, a carpark, native trees, shrubs and grasses as part of a reserve area for birdlife is also set to take place.
"With the replanting project surrounding the platform we envisage the completed project will enhance the mana of this historical area," trust spokesperson Phillip Smith said.
The trust has the blessing of the surrounding tangata whenua groups in Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc, Matahiwi marae and Kohupatiki marae and while it had already attracted the support of some local organisations was still seeking sponsorship to help with the project.
Rayonair Matariki Forest has donated totara, matai and macrocarpa trees from a forest last felled 35 years ago.
"So they will be dry and ready to carve," Mr Smith said.
The giant star compass will be primarily used as an education resource for a wide range of groups including trainee navigators of waka horua, waka crew, school, youth and community groups.
With informative signage tourists to the region will read how the great compass works without requiring a navigator to be on hand to explain it to them.
The celestial navigation techniques had been passed through generations over thousands of years and use the stars, the sun, the moon, as well as ocean swells and currents to find destinations.
The compass would also be a free educational resource which would explain Maori and European history of the area and "detract some of the public from dumping rubbish and causing a nuisance," a trust spokesperson said.
The first stage of the long-term project took place yesterday with a karakia at Clive for the arrival of the logs to be used.
Kaumatua from the local hapu of the forestry region carried out the ceremony.
Expected completion of the entire project is set for December 2016.