Kohunui Marae is calling on volunteers who can handle a paintbrush, spade or hammer for a makeover of the Pirinoa landmark.
The Maori TV show Marae DIY returns to Wairarapa to Kohunui Marae on March 10 after the programme helped in the revamp of Ngai Tumapuhia Marae at Homewood a fortnightago.
Haami Te Whaiti, Kohunui Marae trustees chairman, was at Homewood for the initial Wairarapa project and said he was amazed at the work that was achieved in only four days and "how inspired everyone there is to carry on".
Preparations are under way for the Kohunui project, he says, which will involve refurbishment of the kitchen, the marae atea in front of the meeting house Tuhirangi and the creation of landscaped areas with a sculpture and a playground.
Mr Te Whaiti said residents and whanau may remember the last refurbishment of the property in the 1980s when carvings and new buildings were commissioned under the leadership of then Wairarapa MP Ben Couch.
"Today, we are in turn very excited about Marae DIY - it's a great opportunity," Mr Te Whaiti said. "We are calling on all the skills and resources we have from our whanau and the South Wairarapa community.
"We need people with spades, paint brushes, hammers and wooden spoons. Accommodation is tight and a dining tent will need to be set up in the paddock next to the marae to feed workers at all hours."
Mr Te Whaiti says sponsorship is being sought from Wairarapa business and the regional farming community for items ranging from food to kitchen equipment and plants.
"The marae is regarded historically as a community resource and we hope that this upgrade and the upgrade of the ablutions later this year will bring in more of our community again."
