Keisha Rawiri from Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka Unitec School of Architecture is a Highly Commended for her project 'An architectural response to future-proofing Tau Henare marae and upholding the mana of Ngā Tau e Toru whare tawhito'.
Project description
The values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), kotahitanga (unity) and manaakitanga (hospitality) are embraced in this new marae layout, providing circulation access for all different functions to operate in harmony. This future marae design brings together tradition and innovation using several architectural responses, while maintaining the core values of tapu (the sacred), noa (freedom) and mana (spiritual strength). It future-proofs Tau Henare marae and upholds the mana of Ngā Tau e Toru whare tawhito.
This research project sprang from a kōrero with whānau, who expressed the need for their whare to be regenerated. Ko Ngā Tau e Toru was once an essential whare for Te Orewai hapū and was used as their first wharenui circa 1890s. The essence of this research project was to explore the current and future opportunities for Ngā Tau e Toru and Tau Henare marae.
Through qualitative kaupapa Māori methods, six key themes were developed to understand whānau aspirations today and for the future. These themes are inspiration, history, pūrakau (storytelling), facts, aspiration and design.
Regarding Ngā Tau e Toru, the idea is that the legacy of the ingoa (name) continues by becoming the Wharehui, Whare Taonga or Kōhanga. Further consultation with whānau would be required to reach a consensus. The whare taonga acknowledges the essence of Ngā Tau e Toru whare tawhito because it is intended to hold historical marae archives and taonga for whānau to access.
Jury citation
By marrying innovation with tradition, harmony is sought in the regeneration of this marae, which dates to the 1890s. Upholding core values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship), kotahitanga (unity) and manaakitanga (hospitality), the design embeds democracy within circulation and access in order to successfully serve a variety of functions and purposes, both tangible and less tangible.
Through qualitative kaupapa Māori methods, key themes steered research into understanding the current and future aspirations of iwi for their marae. In doing so, Keisha’s work describes and documents an incredible amount of negotiation and the shifts in thinking, changes of use and understanding of time.
This project is a deeply impressive response and understanding of living and embracing culture. It is about interrelationships on the site and the expression of stories, connections and morals. It allows us to see and understand the interconnection and relationship between tradition and innovation.
In seeking to future-proof Tau Henare marae and maintain the mana of Ngā Tau e Toru whare tawhito, Keisha demonstrates a great example of what ‘fit-for-purpose’ means. This is a rigorous test of a concept that combines the future needs of people and communities with a deep understanding of cultural norms, narratives, local knowledge and custom.
