Puhi Kai Iti project recognised
A sensitive re-interpretation of the Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve has been recognised by the Designer’s Institute of New Zealand, receiving a Gold Pin at the 2020 Best Awards in Auckland.
Landscape architect Cathy Challinor (Boffa Miskell) and artist Nick Tupara (Ngāti Oneone) were co-creative directors on the project.
Te Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve in Gisborne.
The judge noted the project “beautifully details and integrates strong and complex cultural narratives, responding to a historically significant site and brief.
Employing the power of landscape, materiality and craft — both traditional and contemporary — it sensitively recrafts the narrative of the significance of this site.”
The project has been recognised by the Designer’s Institute of New Zealand.
Boffa Miskell was engaged by Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation, Te Kaunihera o Te Tairawhiti Gisborne District Council and Ngāti Oneone to rebalance narratives expressed in this significant landscape in time for the 250-year anniversary of Cook’s arrival.
Te Ikaroa sculpture
The initial project scope entailed landscape architectural design, development of cultural and historical narratives, and storytelling in conjunction with Ngāti Oneone.
Though the project gained traction in the 250th Anniversary of Cook’s arrival, the redeveloped space represents 1000 years of navigation and settlement in Turanganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne with sculpture and storytelling that acknowledges the ancestor Maia who landed at Tawararo (Kaiti Beach) and settled at the site, through to the landing of Cook at the same site 750 years later.
“A project like this, that seeks to bring a more inclusive re-framing to a significant historic event, is challenging work, but it’s very satisfying and we all are tremendously proud of the outcome,” Cathy Challinor says.
Weaving together people, culture and heritage
A standout feature is the is the circular walls featuring 112 steel tukutuku panels, punched with 53,900 individual holes, and woven with 7.3km of cord by volunteers from local iwi Ngāti Oneone and skilled weavers from around Tairawhiti.
The tukutuku designs incorporate kaokao, poutama, roimata tōroa, pātiki and patterns specific to Te Poho o Rāwiri Marae and is an outcome cherished by the designers.