Te Kotahitanga Marae in Whangarei is now the heart of the Otangarei community, thanks to technology.
In May last year the marae became Northland's first to be "wired" after the opening of what is now known as the hub - a room next to the wharekai that boasts 12 computers that have access to ultra-fast broadband (UFB).
Since connecting to the UFB, the marae that was once "always closed" is now buzzing with people.
Marae chairman Alex Henare said he'd noticed "a lot of changes" since the hub opened - all positive.
"It's targeted youth. We see adults in here, but it's mainly youth. They get to pour all their stuff into the computer. Most days I don't come in here but when I do it's always full."