Tuesday 21 June 2016

Inner Harbour Redevelopment project keen to unlock cultural elements

The Inner Harbour Redevelopment Project continues to push through the concept design work, with meetings held recently on site to discuss identified heritage sites with archaeologist Lynda Walter and iwi representatives.

Nick Tupara of Ngati Oneone spoke with senior management and urban designers Landlab about the significance of various sites within and around the Inner Harbour precinct.

In conjunction with iwi and consultants, council intend to develop a cultural response that will then be incorporated into the concept design.

Council Chief Executive Judy Campbell says, “We Recognise that the stories that make our region special are important to include in any development work in the inner harbour”

Council are looking at a range of interpretive media to share information at designated places as part of the Tairawhiti Navigations project.

Council were also advised of the cultural values and history of the Hirini St cemetery where some of the chiefs of the area and early settlers have been buried.

Council and Ngati Oneone are working together to make improvements in this space. Options being considered include trimming the trees and removing shrubs to ensure sight lines.

The Inner harbour restoration project is part of the greater Tairawhiti Navigations project, which has a combined budget of $8.4m over the next three years.

The Navigations project is set to have historic interpretations of significant historic and cultural events spread over locations throughout the inner harbour, Turanganui River and Titirangi Reserve.

ENDS

© Scoop Media