Chow:hill Blog

Recently I had the privilege of attending the Annual Nga Aho - Maori Architecture and Design Professionals Network hui.  Our hui began with a warm traditional welcome to Te Pukenga Marae, a whare for students on the Massey campus in Palmerston North. Te Pukenga has a distinctive design with a rounded apex based on a local Whanganui whare and features artwork from the many successive years of students. The experiences to be had on these hui are as diverse as the disciplines and cultures that attend, often racing around to look at different buildings and historic sites significant to the local people. These excursions intermitantly broken up with great food provided by our hosts and more opportunity to catch up. Our first day was spent looking at sites within Whanganui as guided by local artists and designers. The UCOL Whanganui Campus was our first stop where we heard from Marty Vreede who gave us an inspiring talk about the importance of the printing press and the impact printed media had for Maori. We were then whisked away to the local Museum and a gallery exhibition displaying traditional gourd design both historic examples and modern interpretation. The architects in the group could not help but be captivated by the famous Whanganui War Memorial next door and a few grumbles that we didn't have time to explore further as we raced off again to the next location. A key part of these gatherings is to find opportunity to utilise the expertise within the group and to give back to the local community. This year the group was invited to provide design considerations for the iwi exhibit at the local gallery 'Te Manawa'. After a brain storming session and some rough sketches, groups presented ideas mainly about providing a welcoming entrance to the exhibit based on the procession of the Maori powhiri. Other ideas included ways to take the exhibit outside of the bounds of the gallery and extend out into the wider Palmerston North city centre. The opportunities for networking and sharing ideas are greatly beneficial between peers and to see the fresh ideas coming from students. Of note was a masters student presenting his thesis for a memorial on the historic Gate Pa in Tauranga that gives honour to those that fought and highlights key moments in our past. After these hui I always feel refreshed and energised having been around such creative and inspiring people, and full of new ideas to explore and share within the office.

For further information on this event or if you have any questions please contact Te Ari Prendergast teari.prendergast@chowhill.co.nz