March 22, 2023
Te Atiawa weaving cultural narrative into Taranaki visitors centre
Architects have been chosen for a new iwi-led visitors centre on the southern slopes of Taranaki maunga.
Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa chair Liana Poutu says the iwi is partnering with the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Regional Development Unit (Kānoa-RDU), which is putting in $3 million from the Provincial Growth Fund.
It will replace the existing North Egmont Visitor Centre is near the end of its life.
She says Auckland-based TOA Architects will work with iwi on the design, drawing on the lessons of the award-winning New Plymouth Airport Te Hono terminal rebuild.
“We’re definitely hoping we will be able to crtete something really special in terms of being able to share some of our cultural narratives throughout the building. We really want to ensure people know there is a cultural narrative, there is a whakapapa connection between us and our tupuna when they visit here so really exciting project,” Ms Poutu says.
TOA Architects are holding wananga to find out what people want to see in the centre.