By Michael Morrah
New Zealand's only privately owned whare, or Maori meeting house, is up for sale amid controversy over its future.
The building in the grounds of a Taupo hotel, was the work of a celebrated Maori carver and could be worth millions of dollars.
The dilapidated whare has already attracted offers of up to $12 million.
“It's certainly a masterpiece. It reflects centuries and centuries of carving development. The fact that it is in private hands is also extraordinary,” says Webb’s managing director Neil Campbell.
It's been in private hands since chief Hohepa Tamamutu sold it for 150 pounds to the pakeha proprietor of The Spa Hotel in Taupo in 1886.
Since then it's remained at the hotel grounds. But now the finance company that owns it wants out.
The whare was carved by Wero Taroi of Rotorua iwi, Te Arawa .
Auckland Museum has the only other substantial collection of work by Wero, including a carved pataka or store house.
“He's special because he's a master carver but he also taught some of the most innovative and influential carvers,” says Auckland Museum Maori curator Chanel Clarke.
Since Wero's Whare appeared for sale, there's been plenty of interest, but also concern about its future.
3 News understands that descendants of Wero Taroi and central North Island iwi are opposed to its public sale and don't want it ending up in the hands of a private collector
“While it has been in private hands for a long time we can't deny them that whakapapa and geneology that they still maintain,” says Mrs Clarke.
Fortunately for the iwi, the whare can't be taken overseas and it can only be sold to a New Zealand citizen.
3 News