A Maori ancestral house "in need of dire restoration" will be getting a fresh new look over the coming weeks.
A ceremony will be held on Friday to start work the restoration of Te Awa I Manukau, Whakarewarewa Village.
Henare Walmsley from Paekiri Northcroft-Moke Whanau Trust, said the ancestral house was built for Bella Papakura by her husband Aperiama Wiari around 1925 and still stands today.
Ihapera (Isabella) Pattison Thom, who later became known as Bella Papakura or Guide Bella, was one of the most requested guides of her time, showcasing the cultural and natural wonders of Whakarewarewa to tourists from all over the world.
The year 2020 will mark 150 years since her birth in 1870 and is the target date for completion of a project designed to pay homage to her memory.