Coffey and Henare attend wharekai opening

Tamati Coffey fills in for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the official opening of the new dining hall at Waiohau Marae. Photo / Katee Shanks

The wait to see if Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern would be opening the new dining hall at Waiohau Marae was long and hot.

It had been reported earlier that Ardern was to be the guest of honour at the opening and to cut the ribbon to the new facility near Whakatane, but speculation was rife regarding whether it was her people were waiting for yesterday afternoon.

After a 5am start at the marae, a powhiri welcoming an official delegation and other guests was scheduled to begin at 1pm. Members of the Ngati Haka Patuheuheu hapu were ready to perform the welcome haka, but were stood down as the minutes ticked by.

Members of the Ngati Haka Patuheuheu hapu perform the welcome haka. Photo / Katee Shanks

People wondered out loud whether they were waiting for the Prime Minister or someone representing her.

Labour MPs Tamati Coffey and Kiritapu Allan were eventually joined by Whanau Ora Minister Peeni Henare before the manuhiri walked onto the marae.

The Prime Minister's press secretary, Leah Haines, said she was aware it had been reported Ardern would be at the opening but could not confirm whether she had officially accepted an invitation by the Waiohau Marae Reservation Trust to be there.

"The Prime Minister would have liked to be at the opening of the dining hall however it was not possible. She intends on making arrangements to visit Waiohau Marae at a later time."

Six years ago, and after the construction of a new ablution block, members of the Waiohau Marae Reservation Trust focused on the building of a new wharekai (dining hall).

Since then numerous fundraising events had been held including sporting challenges, hunting competitions, housie days and raffles.

The balance of the $1million cost was met by a lotteries grant.

With the ablution block and wharekai complete, the trust will now look to renovating the whare tipuna (meeting house).