Welcome home : return, rehabilitation and reconnection; architecture as a kaitiaki for taonga Māori

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can an architectural intervention facilitate the return of taonga to iwi in Aotearoa/New Zealand?

ABSTRACT:

Taonga Māori are generally understood as a treasure, or anything of high value. The term has become a part of New Zealand legislation through its inclusion in the Treaty of Waitangi and the Resource Management Act 1991. This project focuses on the importance of the reconnection of taonga to their people. The project uses architectural design as a kaitiakitanga (guardian) to aid in the preservation and retrieval of Taonga Māori, enabling their return to iwi of New Zealand. The resulting building not only provides for preservation of taonga but also accommodates the cultural and spiritual aspects required to facilitate a strong bond between iwi and taonga. This project is intended as a koha (gift) to Māori, in order to enable further development within this field, using architecture in taonga retrieval and rehabilitation.

This project is a response to the belief that Māori should create their own cultural centre. The need for a specific centre, such as the one proposed in this study, stems from the existing conflicts between traditional western museum practices and approaches and the spiritual and cultural needs of indigenous people. There are currently limited facilities to aid in culturally appropriate treatment, return, and reconnection of Taonga Māori. Investigation into Tikanga Māori, consultations with Māori cultural and architectural advisors, as well as a culturally based understanding of Puketutu Island, have resulted in the design of a Taonga Rehabilitation Centre.