Work has begun on Tuhoe's plan to build a headquarters it hopes will be the most advanced sustainable building in New Zealand.
The tribe is spending $15 million on the building, which will adopt stringent environmental standards set down by the International Living Futures Institute.
That means it will have no impact on the environment, with triple Net Zero for energy, water and waste.
Tuhoe Te Uru Taumatua chairman Tamati Kruger says the project has a high cost up-front, but in years to come the building will be paying for itself.
"We're hoping to encourage other Tuhoe organisations and homeowners that we need to be more responsible, and why not start with the tribal authority?"
Tamati Kruger says Tuhoe plans to use its own timber supplies for around 95 percent of the building - including construction, landscaping, flooring and seating.
