"It also holds massive significance for the people of Te Rarawa, Te Tai Tokerau and the Far North ... The return of the carving is recognition of the bond this taonga forges between the museum as its custodian, the people of Te Rarawa, its spiritual guardians, and Te Ahu."
Te Runanga o Te Rarawa chair Haami Piripi said last time the taonga was loaned to Te Rarawa for just one week, it had a striking effect on the iwi's spirit and morale.
"Now with this one year loan, this will make a major contribution to empowering iwi, an essential element for the community development of our whanau and hapu."
Far North Regional Museum chairman Phil Cross said the loan was hugely significant for Te Ahu and the district, and backed Mr Piripi's claim about its effect last time it was in the North.
"It was an incredibly emotive, positive experience and one that created a real sense of pride.
"It is indicative of that ethos that unless you know where you've come from, you don't know where you are going.
"The Kaitaia carving provides that sense of where things have come from."
The carving shows how Maori art evolved from its Polynesian origins and has a central figure with outward-facing manaia motifs at each end, like later door lintels.
However, Tangonge is unique in that both sides are fully carved, suggesting it may have stood over a gateway.
Te Ahu incorporates a museum, library, council offices, community hall, theatre and i-Site. It will be officially opened at 9.30am on Saturday by Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae with a gala dinner at 6.30pm.
