Description:

This project Te Wairua O Te Piopiotahi begins with place. Place is a moment where either your identity is influenced by a space, you influence the identity of the space you inhabit, or a sense of belonging is established. The opportunity of this project is exploring what place means for Tāngata Whenua of Milford Sound Piopiotahi, and what place could mean for manuhiri. This project uses architecture as a language for storytelling, where story is articulated through the discourse with mauri. Mauri is the lifeforce of the place, and the knowledge that whakapapa is traced back to the creation narratives.
Five of the narratives that are part of the whakapapa of Milford Sound Piopiotahi have been represented within this project. Three Pavilions have been used to narrate. Each pavilion utilises one of three extreme elements of the site as tools to communicate these narratives. Water, Wind and Light.
Wehenga: Light Pavilion
The Significance of the Cleddau Delta is that it is not only a point of arrival, but it is a point of departure. For Manuhiri they are traveling, through the Fiordland national park, to be a part of this moment. For Kāi Tahu, being at the inlet of the fjord it is the procession through the fjord, out to the coast, and the rest of the world. The narrative that is told through this light pavilion is that of Te Whānau Mārama. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, and the Milky Way were transported into the heavens via sacred baskets.
I have chosen to name this pavilion Wehenga which means departure. This Pavilion, which sits cantilevered off the mountain face overlooking Bowen Falls, is a Beacon. It symbolises the journey taken, and the journey to be made. The light pavilion utilises the sun as an architectural element by embracing its mobility
Waenga: Water Pavilion
This Pavilion, named Waenga, tells the narrative of Papatūānuku and Rangi-nui, and how their separation created space for mankind. Waenga means between. The pavilion connects us with the tears that Rangi-nui cries for Papatūānuku, and immerses us with Tangaroa, who now lies with Papatūānuku between the two lovers. Milford Sound was not a permanent settlement for Kāi Tahu but was a seasonal settlement and an important place in the traditions of mahika kai. This is explored through the mōkihi and the hīnaki.
Hā: Wind Pavilion
This last pavilion is named Hā which means breath as well as the tenor of song. It is situated at the base of Bowen falls, at the end of the boardwalk that the water pavilion sits on. The experience starts with the procession, amongst wind instruments. The notes are abstracted from the story of Maui’s grieving Piopio, from which Milford Sound Piopiotahi’s namesake comes from. The second narrative that is represented is the creation of the Fiord itself. Tū-te-rakiwhānoa sees the need for safe harbours for travel and mahika kai for mankind and uses a powerful karakia and his toki to carve the land.