New Zealand - Mangatowai Marae Cultural Village
Location
Ilahita, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand.
Concept drawing for the future development of
the Mangatowai Cultural Village by Peter Edgeley
Geography
Manawatu-Wanganui is a region in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand, around the city of Palmerston North and the town of Wanganui. The region is dominated and defined by two significant river catchments, the Whanganui and the Manawatu. The Whanganui River is the longest navigable river in New Zealand. The river was extremely important to early Maori as it was the southern link in a chain of waterways that spanned almost two-thirds of the North Island. It was one of the chief areas of Maori settlement with its easily fortified cliffs and ample food supplies.
Much of the Manawatu-Wanganui Region was fertile and bush-covered when Europeans arrived and developed the area as a source of timber. Saw milling and flax milling dominated followed by an influx of sheep farmers who exploited the newly-cleared ground. Deforestation, burn-offs of timber and scrub and large scale drainage combined with overgrazing, resulted in considerable environmental degradation. Since then, exploitation of the river’s commercial potential has opened up the area, often causing friction with local Maori, who have long-standing grievances.
The region had a usually resident population of 222,423 people at the 2006 Census, the fifth-largest population in New Zealand. The region has a lower than average population density, 10.3 people per square kilometre, compared with 13.1 for New Zealand. Between the 2001 and 2006 censuses the population rose by 1.6%, or 3,477 people.
There are two major urban areas in the region. Palmerston North, with an estimated resident population of 79,800, expanded as an educational centre and a supply centre for the surrounding rural hinterland. It became a city in 1930. The other major urban area is Wanganui, with an estimated resident population of 39,700 (June 2008 estimates).
Culture
In the Maori tradition the Marae is a spiritual place for the entire community where everyone can find peace and each member of the extended family can express his/her emotions and be heard and cared for. It is the place where wedding and funerals take place but also private issues or political matters can be discussed.
In the Marae experience there is a sense of belonging that goes back to the ancestors of the family and the history of the entire world. The Pleiades rising on the horizon in June determine the beginning of the year and the community’s renewal of the trust with Mother Earth to be Her Caretaker. Tangata whenua are the families, the people of the land, the host. The land with its different buildings is shaped by people but people shape their own needs in relation to the land. In fact “a marae needs people and people need a marae”, there is a mutual agreement of trust and humble respect.
The sense of place goes much beyond the walls of the Whare Nui, the building where the talk is done as much as the sleeping usually through the week-end. And in respect of all ancient tradition the time of getting together is always celebrated with food in the Whare Kai. The Marae in its different functions represents Mother Earth with whom people share life and death, eat, sleep, feel, discuss, and find peace in the matter of this world while sensing the universe.
Socio-Economic
Agriculture dominates the economy in the region. A higher than average proportion of businesses were engaged in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries, 6.3% compared with 4.4% nationally. Businesses engaged in retail trade were dominant numerically. In 1997 there were 2,300 businesses in the region, employing a total of 10,380 full-time equivalents. The percentage of businesses engaged in manufacturing was slightly higher than the national average and manufacturing employed the greatest number of people (12,830).
Background
The project has been designed in conjunction with David Henare’s family that owns the land but also the more extended Maori family and the Pakhea (European descendants) in the region. On the 29th October 2006 the project was launched and discussed with one hundred participants. The event was celebrated among people and in the media as an example of reconciliation and peace. (www.mangatowai.maori.nz)
Project Aim
The two years of consultation allowed the design of this Marae to embrace broader goals and objectives. The Marae would include the original traditional cultural symbols and functions with all Maori’s protocol but also would generate micro-enterprises that will ensure that the sustainability of the centre covers cultural, social, political and economical aspects.
Objectives
- All new facilities will use state-of-the-art sustainable energy-related technologies within the buildings that are specifically designed to match the site in order to become a model of self-sufficiency and energy conservation.
- A project that is a model of sustainability embracing cultural values, social issues, economical solutions and ecological sustainable design.
- The Marae includes the traditional Whare Hui, the building where all the major events take place that represents the human body with all its symbolical meanings.
- The Whare Kai is another extension of humanly functions and it is the buildings where people can share a meal.
- The Whare Kai becomes also a restaurant where people from the region and tourists can stop and enjoy traditional Maori cuisine.
Physical Facilities Required
- The facility included complementary initiatives like and eco-tourist facility.
- Visitor focused land and water-based ventures.
- Educational tools on sustainability.
- Craftworks outlets.
- Work-skills training (tour guiding, building, sustainable technologies).
- Communal pre-school facility.
- Community organic gardens.