Description:

The Waka Manaaki design is the first of its kind internationally to balance critical emergency vehicle safety standards while embracing indigenous knowledge and design traditions.

The journey to transform the identity of an ambulance to a Waka Manaaki was underpinned by three critical conceptual pillars: Manaaki tangata – care for individuals; Manaaki whānau – care for families, communities and staff; and, Manaaki hauora – care for our collective health and wellbeing.

This haerenga was underpinned by our organisational commitment to embed whakaaro Māori and, in doing so, strengthen our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, support Māori health futures, and recognise the emotional and spiritual impacts ambulances have on everyone they help.

We recognised that although ambulance livery met critical international safety standards, it lacked a visceral connection reflecting the mahi of the service, connection to the whenua and representation of our staff and communities.
Recognising the powerful emotional role an ambulance has, a revitalised design was developed to connect with Aotearoa more strongly.

The design was developed and guided by Haumi(NZ) Limited in consultation with hapū, iwi, tohunga tārai waka, and tohunga whakairo to create an identity system premised on mana tuku iho and the cultural intelligence of tangata whenua.

The first Waka Manaaki blessed in Tāmaki Makaurau by Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei in November 2021 journeyed to Mauri Tau Whare Waka Manaaki, Rotorua Ambulance Station, and was blessed into service by Ngāti Hurungaterangi.

Like waka, in their many forms, ambulances are integral to everyday life. In the context of waka manaaki we acknowledge the foundational role of ambulance services providing care for patients.

The concept of manaaki is a principle giving expression to care toward others. The design encapsulates elements which when combined provides safe passage for ambulance officers and patients in times of need.

Tāwhirimātea depicted on the taurapa provides propulsion and movement, while the taurapa itself, stabilises, balances and creates safe passage. The takarangi pay further tribute to Tāwhirimātea, each aperture a reminder of his unseen presence, and his immutable desire to maintain connectivity. Two spines sit within the taurapa, one represents te taha wairua (spiritual dimension), the other te taha tinana (physical dimension).

Along the outer edge of the taurapa are ringaringa (hands). These are the hands of communities and symbolise the critical function we share together ensuring we support and uplift each other.

The rauawa (strakes) provide structural integrity to the waka. Pākati (chevrons) embellish the rauawa and denote movement. The pākati also enabled the design team to maintain traditions of ngā toi Māori while meeting battenburg system requirements (a global high visibility safety system, developed in the 1990s).

A manaia sits at the front as the kaitiaki of the vehicle. Its purpose to elevate and safeguard the kaupapa and provide safe passage for everyone travelling inside.

This is a design for all Aotearoa. More than vehicle livery, it’s the manifestation of our collective histories, symbolises our pathway ahead, and an identity representing the care, protection, respect, and equitable health outcomes that everyone deserves.