ko arataki, ko nekeneke, te horanuku

to guide the movement of the landscape

Jan Latham & Oona Uusitalo (Group 05)

Through our analysis of Te Motu Kairangi, we were captivated by how the land has been moving for hundreds of years, and in-turn so have its inhabitants. Having knowledge of Te ao Māori, we recognise the significance of this land for the identity and wellbeing of, and for, her communities.

The moving landscape has come from temporal geo-morphological processes, both linear and abrupt surface events over time. With risks of future ruptures from geological processes, potential tsunami events and adverse effects of climate change in motion, these could have devastating consequences for Te Whanganui a Tara’s Precious Island. Our analysis has therefore compelled us to use interventions that embrace and guide the land’s continually movement over time, allowing the mauri to flow and Tūrangawaewae to remain strong through time.

A significant amount of this movement comes from water flow, which is now controlled and hidden. Our nature-based solutions of daylighting streams and bioswales, will restore the water’s natural flows, strengthening mauri and whakapapa, reconnecting people and awa. At the coastal edge, we propose breakwater water parks with reef islands, swales and tidal marshes to manoeuvre currents and storm surges, naturally building a protection shoreline and filtering sediments through wetlands. To further preserve the connection of people to moana, we propose eco-walls, with tidal walkways that guide experiential movement along the coastal edge for all communities and their needs.

Where the land may move abruptly through geological events, we propose systems to manoeuvre that movement to reduce the impacts on community habitats. Landslide rivers, barrier pile pole walls and slope berms will be positioned at locations where impacts could be disastrous.

To reinforce the stance of the community and Te Motu Kairangi’s moving landscape, we propose a Cultural Community Arts Centre be established. The centre will serve as a hub for learning and sharing, and to kaitiaki the identity and uniqueness of Te Motu Kairangi through Tikanga. This space will also serve as a concept for disaster refuge centres that will bring the community together maintaining the mauri of this Precious Island as she continues to move with time.