Māori Designer Tama Whiting: One-way ticket from Aotearoa to New York
Tama Whiting is a Māori designer from Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. He gained his Master’s of Landscape Architecture from Victoria University of Wellington in 2017. He is also a member of the Ngā Aho Network of Māori Design Professionals. Before moving overseas, he worked at Studio Pacific Architecture for three years. In 2018, he bought a one-way ticket to New York with the hopes of securing a job in his dream city. He now works at SCAPE, a landscape architecture and urban design studio based in New York and New Orleans.
As the grandson of the late Māori artist and educator Cliff Whiting, Tama has long understood the importance of sharing Māori knowledge and perspectives. He now contributes to SCAPE’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee which amplifies Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour within the industry. SCAPE has stated an ongoing commitment to action and is expanding pathways for diversity within landscape architecture.
Jacqueline Paul chats to him about his journey and values.
Tama Whiting in New York | Photo Credit Katarina S. Mesarovich
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive
This whakatauki is one that speaks to Tama Whiting and his journey. This whakatauki speaks to the community, to collaboration, and a strengths-based approach. It acknowledges that everybody has something to offer, a piece of the puzzle, and by working together we can all flourish.
Whiting is from Te Whānau-ā-Apanui on the east coast of Aotearoa but was born and bred in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. He spent his childhood in the eastern suburbs, from Strathmore to Miramar, and attended high school at Wellington College, before moving on to the Architecture School at Victoria University.
"My cousin has an uncle that is an Architect, Stephen McDougall at Studio Pacific Architecture,” Whiting says. “We used to go there after primary school sometimes and he would always have flash clothes and a nice car. I remember thinking wow that's so cool you get to model and draw things for a living, it wasn’t until later in life that I began to think that this could be a career path for myself.
“I think what stood out to me was the possibility of creating things. Being able to envision a new concept whether it be architecture, interiors or landscape is exciting. Just letting your mind run free and trying to solve problems or inspire different uses.”
On how Te Ao Māori shifts the way you understand and begin to design places and spaces with communities he says: “I guess being Māori you feel a sense of connectedness to specifically your tribal land but also to the whole of Aotearoa. I see environments as living entities and what you take or use must be given back in some way or form.”
Whiting also spoke about many influential people in his life as tane Māori and how this continues to shape his life today. He is inspired by the work of his Koro Cliff Whiting - who helped pave the way for contemporary Māori art in Aotearoa.
Tama Whiting with his Koro at the southernmost marae in New Zealand, Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff.
"My Koro would spend months at a time, sometimes years working with different iwi, helping to revive their stories through traditional and contemporary Māori art forms and practices. He has probably worked on most marae up and down the country.
“Looking at all his old photos from the ’70s and ’80s, I learned his art drove him to travel. He shared and learned a lot of art forms with different First Nations and tribes from around the world. That is super inspiring to me. In a way, I like to relate my design journey to his - being able to share your culture and learn from others and then bring back these skills to enrich your own.
Tama Whiting with his whanau in Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty.
“He's always stood out as someone that was very knowledgeable. Seeing him speak on the paepae at the marae and having fun with it would always be entertaining”
In the past 14 months, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Whiting has been working from home in Brooklyn, NY. There he works for SCAPE - a landscape and urban design studio based in New York and New Orleans with projects across the United States. SCAPE studio focuses on creating positive change in communities by combining regenerative living infrastructure and new forms of public space. Whiting didn't know anyone before arriving and had to hustle his way into New York in order to chase his dreams - ambitious and determined to succeed.
"Everyone that interviewed me was just like ‘wait what you just came from New Zealand, the other side of the world, with no job and a one-way ticket!’”
Three years in, he’s been able to work on a range of projects, including Tom Lee Park, a 30-acre waterfront park in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tom Lee Park | Credit SCAPE, Studio Gang and Memphis River Parks Partnership.
Whiting plans to stay in New York for a few more years. But even while he’s away he’d still like to give back to Aotearoa through the education system and professional institutions. He is open to mentoring and sharing advice on those who aspire to work abroad or provide guest presentations for knowledge sharing, and to enable students to see what is possible beyond the shores of Aotearoa.
His advice for students and emerging professionals - leverage social media and build relationships within your networks early.
“I think that it’s super important to start connecting with people early on within the industry, whether that's senior tutors, professors, or lecturers. You should want to become a familiar face at presentations, conferences, and studio tours. People at these events could end up being your future employer. Do some research so you can have a few questions ready to start a conversation.
“Build your brand and career connections early. Understand the importance of visibility, reach out to those who can help you, know that there are many opportunities around the world that might influence your perspective for positive change in Aotearoa, and lastly think about whether a practice aligns with your own values.”