CASE STUDY : Map Shelly Bay
DATE : 2023 - present
NOTES : Culture & Heritage - Digital Map of Mātai Moana
LINK : https://www.toi.agency/studies/motu-kairangi
*download Mātai Moana mApp powered by iSPARX™

TOIAGENCY project *powered by iSPARX™
map Shelly Bay
Mātai Moana, located at the northern tip of Te Motu Kairangi (Miramar Peninsula) in Wellington, is a site of profound cultural, historical, and ecological significance. Historically, it has been home to Māori settlements, military installations, and two prisons. In recent years, local community groups have initiated efforts to restore its natural environment.
The vision for Mātai Moana includes creating an unfenced eco-sanctuary that integrates community-led environmental stewardship, aligning with broader conservation goals like Predator Free 2050. The project aims to protect and restore the area’s unique landscape, native wildlife, and historic sites, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
Mātai
Moana
a digital map
Creating a geospatial map of Mātai Moana and the Shelly Bay area offers substantial benefits to both Mana Whenua and Tangata Tiriti.
For Mana Whenua, this map provides a powerful tool for preserving cultural heritage, enhancing resource management, and strengthening their connection to the land. It enables the accurate representation of significant sites, ancestral pathways, and ecological resources, facilitating informed decision-making and cultural revitalization efforts. Additionally, the map fosters collaboration with local authorities, empowering Mana Whenua.
In terms of Te Tiriti Partnership, this map promotes transparency, equity, and mutual understanding between Mana Whenua and governmental bodies. It establishes a foundation for respectful engagement, ensuring that policies and projects consider the cultural, social, and environmental interests of all parties involved. This geospatial representation thus serves as a vital tool in upholding the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and inclusive approach to community development.
TOIAGENCY project *powered by iSPARX™
map Shelly Bay
Mātai Moana
Eco Sanctuary & Heritage Reserve
Landscape Architecture | Victoria University of Wellington | School Of Architecture
8 x Studies of Mātai Moana
*cover illustration - Whataitai - the legend of Ngāke and Whataitai, Taniwha of Te Whanganui a Tara; image used with kind permission of the artist Mathias Larserud ©2024 M.Larserud - all rights reserved