Fire crews are fighting a blaze at Northland's Whakapara Marae.
The alarm was raised just after 4am.
Crews arrived to find the dining hall at the marae, which is just north of Whangarei, well ablaze.
The remote location is making it a difficult fire to fight, Fire Service northern shift commander Megan Ruru said.
Fire appliances were using water shuttles to try to extinguish the fire, she said.
