A marae was opened in the grounds of Unitec in Auckland as dawn broke on Friday.
Waatea News reports it's taken master carver Lyonel Grant and his team five years to carve the house Ngakau Mahaki.
The wood for the carvings came out of the Minginui Forest in early 2003.
He used construction techniques not seen since the 19th century, in which the carvings are treated as structural elements.
Mr Grant says the carvings in the house tell the history of Tamaki Makaurau.
He has also built Wharenui in Tokoroa and at Waiariki Polytechnic in Rotorua.
A second opening will be held at 10.30am.
