A mauri stone was today placed at the centre of the platform being created for the navigation compass at Waitangi Regional Park.
The ceremonial placement, carried out by Te Matau a Māui Voyaging Trust director Piripi Smith, was witnessed by Te Matau a Māui Voyaging Trust members, project staff from Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Fulton Hogan and MWH Ltd.
"I sourced this stone from one of my voyages to islands in the Pacific. The stone comes from a centre of learning for traditional star-based navigation, so it's fitting to set it here in what we hope will become a waananga or learning place for Māori and others. Visitors here will experience the navigation compass, iconic pou, wetlands, planting and informative signs telling our rich stories," Mr Smith said.
The kaumatua leading today's ceremony was Matiu Eru.
Regional councillor Rex Graham, a supporter of the project ot enhance Waitangi, represented the governors of HBRC.