Wharenui to rise from ashes

Charred carvings from Moku marae and the wharenui ashes have been buried. Photo/Michael Cunningham.

Charred carvings and the ashes of Mokau marae have been buried and the community are now working towards building a new wharenui after a fire last month.

Insurance will cover $280,000 of the costs but it is expected the project will cost about $380,000 to complete.

The meeting house, Te Uri o Hikihiki, at Mokau marae, 46km north of Whangarei, was destroyed in a blaze on November 8.

There was little fire crews from Whangarei, Hikurangi and Russell could do to save the building that was well alight when they arrived after the alarm was raised about 1pm.

Water was pumped from a nearby creek but the wharenui was left a mess of buckled corrugated roofing and charred carvings.

A toilet block and storage area nearby were also extensively damaged.

Two children, aged 3 and 6, playing with a lighter sparked the fire in a pile of mattresses.

Marae committee chairman Dave Scott said the area was cleared and all that remained was the concrete block.

"The carvings were so badly damaged it was decided to bury them along with the marae ashes on the grounds," Mr Scott said.

"The feeling is there needs to be a brand new building with new carvings to be done.

"We are looking forward to getting it all under way."

He said the marae was under insured and while they were to receive nearly $300,000 they would need significantly more to complete the new building.

The shortfall would hopefully be made up of grants they were able to obtain for the rebuild.

A master carver had also be spoken to about the replacement carvings.

"We are slowly coming together," Mr Scott said.

"There was some ill feeling in the beginning but the more we talk and plan we are coming together as one."

He was unsure as to when building might start as plans had to be completed and more funding sourced.

"People want the building up as soon as possible but it does take time."