Hui brings Tāhuhu and Taranaki Te Atiawa Whānui together

Last week Pūkenga Toi Rangi Kipa, who is co-designing the Heke Rua Archives and Heke Puna Library alterations with Architects Warren & Mahoney and Studio Pacific, gave around 30 whānau members of the iwi an exclusive introduction and preview of the designs. The new Archives building will be built on the corner of Mulgrave Street and Aitken Street.

Kipa is providing a Te ao Māori and Te Atiawa perspective into the designs and design process, ensuring the voice and perspective of iwi is incorporated into the design, look and feel of the building. 

It was therefore especially important for him to take iwi through the designs and to ensure they were happy with the direction the projects were taking. 

“We want to make sure we are not only visible on the new building, but importantly, present,” Kipa said.

Iwi also had the opportunity to ask questions and were taken through the He Tohu exhibition.

The hui was the first of what will be many opportunities for iwi to engage in the Tāhuhu Programme.