Description:

Māwhera Pā exemplifies the contemporary interpretation of a Māori worldview in combining urban and tūturu design principles to deliver a compelling visitor experience of the cultural and historical taonga of the region.

The development of the experience was grounded in mātauranga Māori, and driven by manaakitanga through consultation with mana whenua from ideation through to production and delivery. The graphics approach is driven by kaupapa Māori methodologies informed by kōrero and whakawhanaungatanga.

Māwhera Pā shows that contemporary design principles, when incorporating Indigenous knowledge systems allows for powerful storytelling, and palpably sparks dialogue among visitors about the region and its people. The collaborative and iterative approach highlights an exciting evolution toward more equitable and authentic design epistemologies in Aotearoa.