Months of hard work and planning paid off for Ngati Awa with a hugely successful Mataatua whare opening on Saturday.
Thousands flocked to Muriwai Drive at 3.30am to witness history in the making as Ngati Awa followed historic protocol and officially blessed the carved meeting house under the cover of darkness.
Mataatua whare, the whare that came home, left Whakatane in 1879 on order from the Government and toured the world, before being returned to Ngati Awa in 1996. It has been restored to its former glory and now sits as the jewel of Ngati Awa's recently completed Te Manuka Tutahi Marae complex.
The ceremony opened with King Tuheitia's entourage coming on to Te Manuka Tutahi to the beat of drums but silence prevailed as the King's tohunga, his senior cultural adviser, Tuhoe's Pou Temara and 11-year-old Mateanini Te Aute Twoomey led the way through the official ceremony.
Ngati Awa deputy chairman Pouroto Ngaropo said the significance of the young child was crucial to the blessing.
"Protocol says once a female, one who has not begun menstruating, crosses the threshold of the wharenui, that is when its life begins," Mr Ngaropo said.
In the wharenui during the karakia, Ngati Awa elders touched the restored carvings, their tipuna, as tears streamed down their faces.
Following the blessing breakfast was served to 1300 guests, well up on the between 800 and 1000 expected.
An impassioned powhiri at 9am welcomed the 2000 manuhiri (guests) who filled Muriwai Drive at the front of the complex.
Included in the many speeches was a group from Mauke, an island of Rarotonga, who brought with them a stone from their home village.
Mr Ngaropo said it was believed the Mataatua waka that landed in Whakatane left from Mauke during the main migration. They also gifted a stone from the crew of Te Aurere, the double-hulled waka. This means Te Aurere must visit Mataatua if she is passing.
Ngati Awa communications manager William Stewart said the feedback he had received from both locals and visitors, had been great. "There were many different units who had roles to fill and jobs to complete to make the day a success," Mr Stewart said. "Everyone just got on with things and the day ran like clockwork."
Lunch was served after the powhiri and impromptu acts on the ground in front of the marae entertained the masses for hours. "The group from the Cook Islands performed, as did the visitors from Hawaii and other iwi," Mr Stewart said. "It was awesome."
While the official opening was taking place at the Te Manua Tutahi complex, the Mataatua Festival went ahead on the Mataatua Reserve. Performances from local haka groups, bands and singer/songwriter Maisey Rika entertained the crowds. After a 3am start, the festivities drew to a close at 6pm.