Concepts plans for landscaping, interpretations and upgrades to the Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing Site were presented to the Future Tairawhiti Committee today (Thursday 7 June).

Nick Tupara (Ngati Oneone representative) and De-Arne Sutherland (Tairāwhiti Navigations Programme Manager) outlined plans to provide a visitor experience at the site that included landscaping, sculpture and storytelling elements constructed in conjunction with an upgrade to the monument. They also presented plans for a bridge currently referred to as the ‘1000 year walkway’.

The concepts were developed through stakeholder workshops undertaken earlier in the year involving Eastland Port, Te Ha Trust, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Historic Places Tairawhiti, NZTA, Tairāwhiti Roads, and iwi and community feedback through the Tairawhiti Navigations Governance group.

“Following engagement with Turanga iwi; Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngai Tamanuhiri and Rongowhakaata, and stakeholders in the project, it became clear there was a strong aspiration for the project to provide for a connection between the Cook Landing Site and Titirangi,” says Tairawhiti Navigations Programme Manager De-Arne Sutherland.

The project is being funded by the Department of Conservation, with further external funding being sought to deliver the full scope of the project and meet aspirations outlined in the concept plans, including construction of the ‘1000 year walkway’ and a commemoration area on Titirangi to acknowledge Te Maro, a significant tipuna.

Tairāwhiti Navigations Governance Group members have contributed to the design elements and stories to be told from the project site.

A report for decision by the Future Tairāwhiti Committee will be presented in August 2018 to confirm scope and available budget for the project before proceeding through to developed design.

An artist’s impression of the site upgrade and 1000 year walkway bridge connecting to Titirangi Reserve.
Further information:
The upgrade to the Cook Landing Site project is a partnership project between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ngati Oneone and Council. The project team includes John Lucas (Operations Manager Department of Conservation), Nick Tupara (Ngati Oneone representative) and De-Arne Sutherland (Tairāwhiti Navigations Programme Manager)
In 2017, Council agreed to provide project management support and co-ordination as part of the Tairāwhiti Navigations programme and to complete the project in time for Sester-centennial Commemorations in 2019.

ENDS

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