PHOTO: WARWICK SMITH/STUFF Christopher Whaiapu drops a stone brought from the Manawatū River into a hole on the Quest Hotel site to act as kaitiaki (guardian) of the site and of those who work there.
An early morning blessing has triggered the start of work on the site of Palmerston North’s new Quest hotel on Fitzherbert Ave.
The development is the first example of Rangitāne o Manawatū Investment Trust flexing its economic muscle after its Treaty of Waitangi settlement took effect in March 2017.
The trust bought the former Blair Tennent hostel site and has partnered Wallace Development Ltd to build the hotel.
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