Gisborne District Council in partnership with Ngāti Oneone propose to redevelop the Tītīrangi summit and build a public space for cultural and educational activities.
The multi-purpose community facility - Te Panuku Tū Whare will offer spaces for the display of taonga, a night sky viewing platform, exhibition spaces, facility conveniences - cafe, water fountains and toilets.
An application for notified resource consent has been lodged for 2 stage works - the construction and use of the whare on the maunga.
Submissions on the resource consent application closed 22 November 2021.
Proposed whare design
Ngāti Oneone artist Nick Tupara worked closely with his iwi and KE Designs to develop Te Panuku Tū concepts. Architects Isthmus Group then worked with Ngāti Oneone to develop the Te Panuku Tū design.
The site and building have been carefully designed in terms of layout and orientation, materials and landscaping so it fits with the surrounding site while celebrating the historic and cultural significance of the maunga. The key outcomes which have driven the building design are:
- A building that reflects the people who have inhabited the space and have had an enduring relationship with the maunga since the arrival of tangata whenua;
- A building that reflects its own relationship with the maunga and the restorative efforts being undertaken on the maunga; and
- Inspired design driven by the vision of the mana whenua for the benefit of the whole community.
The proposal will result in a range of positive effects on the environment
Te Panuku Tū will reinstate the cultural significance of the tihi (summit) by providing a space for knowledge sharing opportunities and for the community to share cultural, spiritual, heritage, recreation and environmental values.
It will enhance the culturally significant site with a community centre with a range of facilities for the community to enjoy.
Funding for Te Panuku Tū Whare
This project was initially funded as part of the Navigate Tairāwhiti programme and received $6.1m in funding from Kanoa (Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit).
However, due to Covid-19 the government reduced its commitment to $1.037m which has funded the project to proceed to resource consent and detailed designs.
Construction is reliant on securing further external funding.
All demolition and landscaping works on the summit were completed in time for the Tuia 250 commemorations in 2019.