The old wharekai at Whakapara Marae in Northland was engulfed in fire this morning.
Fire crews were called to the marae just after 4am.
Whakapara Marae facebook page has a number of photos posted earlier this month showing progress of a build underway and a revamped wharekai, ‘Te Tawaka’ taking shape. However while the new wharekai was being completed the old wharekai was still used for events there.
According to reports nine fire crews were at the scene this morning.