A Ngati Wai man says the fire that ravaged the Mokau marae north of Whangarei is a tragedy for the Whangaruru community.
Te Uri o Hikihiki has been all but destroyed by the blaze, which began at about 1pm on Friday.
Kyle Hoani, whose father helped to raise funds for the whare back in the 70's says he's not sure if the building was insured, but even it it is, it won't be for replacement value.
He says it's heart-breaking to hear that all the hard work of past generations has gone up in smoke.
Mr Hoani says Whangaruru hapu were on the verge of completing the whare kai at Mokau after 11 years, and to have the whare hui destroyed at this point is devastating news.
The marae is 45 kilometres north-east of Whangarei.
