“The Te Aranga Principles address the processes of economic, social, environmental and spatial development changes. They are a set of outcome-based principles founded on Māori cultural values and formulated to provide practical guidance for enhancing outcomes for the design environment” – Exploring Te Aranga Design Principles in Tāmaki by Jacqueline Paul (2017)

Being a designer in NZ we always have to consider the cultural, social, environmental implications our work will have on the site out of respect for our Maori heritage among other things.

I will be focusing on three key principles in my design:

Kotahitanga : I think its important to think about the wider effect that the site has on its surrounding environment so will take care to design processes of sustainable waste management, sustainable energy use and a seamless relationship between the site and its surrounding environment.

Wairuatanga: I’m a firm believer that nature brings out the spirituality of people so will work to design a place that connects people who come to bathe with the nature of the space and the natural elements of NZ

Kaitiakitanga: Sustainability is important for the longevity of our natural environment. I want there to be a relationship of the environment helping the functionality of my site as-well as my site helping the growth and life of the natural environment that its in. I’d love for my design to partner with the natural environment to create a beautiful space to be enjoyed by all living creatures.

Te Aranga Principles

Rangatiratanga: The right to exercise self-sufficiency authority and self-determination within one’s own iwi / hapū realm, and creating employment prospects engaging mana whenua as co designers

Kotahitanga: (unity, cohesion and collaboration) working collaboratively together. Considering wider infrastructure, landscaping elements, sustainable ways of dealing with waste, sustainable transport systems and providing community facilities and amenities

Wairuatanga: (considers the connectivity to a wider interconnected realm by acknowledging the relationship between Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) and Ranginui (Sky Father) ensuring development recognises the spiritual connections to other spiritual entities Tane ( god of the forest, Tangaroa (god of the sea) orientation faces towards important landmarks and ancestors.

Manaakitanga: ensure that the development supports access to traditional food sources to support the ethic of holistic hospitality whereby mana whenua have inherited obligations to be the best hosts they can be

Whanaungatanga: Identify key relationships and create places that reflect identity; providing heritage markers linking to whakapapa, mana whenua consultation and research on the use of correct ancestral names, including macrons. Recognition of traditional place names through signage and wayfinding

Kaitiakitanga: manage and conserve the environment as part of a reciprocal relationship, based on the Māori world view that we as humans are part of the natural world.  Restore waterways and natural areas; using passive design; create onsite mitigation of greywater and storm water; ensure careful use of rainwater and solar energy; and clustering of buildings to maximise communal reserves and restoration of natural features.

• Material selection comes from sustainable renewable resouces
• Life cycle analysis of material choice considers long term environmental impact
• Sustain and enhance the natural environment
• Ensure that local flora and fauna which are familiar and significant to mana whenua are key natural landscape elements within modified areas
• Protect natural environments, restore or enhance natural environments so that sustainable mana whenua harvesting is possible
• Re-establish local biodiversity
• Create and connect ecological corridors
• Plant appropriate indigenous flora
• Select plant and tree species as seasonal markers and attractors of native bird life
• Establish and manage traditional food and cultural resource areas allowing for active kaitiakitanga

Mātauranga: Māori actively seek to support mana whenua knowledge and understanding

Mauritanga

Environmental health is protected, maintained and / or enhanced

Attributes:

The wider development area and all elements and developments within the site are considered on the basis of protecting, maintaining or enhancing mauri

The quality of wai (water), whenua (land), ngāhere (forest) and air are actively monitored

Water, energy and material resources are conserved

Community wellbeing is enhanced

Application:

Daylighting, restoration and planting of waterways

Contaminated areas of soil are remediated

Rainwater collection systems, grey-water recycling systems and passive solar design opportunities are explored in the design process

Hard landscape and building materials which are locally sourced and of high cultural value to mana whenua are explored in the design process

Mahi Toi

Outcome:

Iwi/hapū narratives are captured and expressed creatively and appropriately

Attributes:

Ancestral names, local tohu and iwi narratives are creatively reinscribed into the design environment including: landscape; architecture; interior design and public art

Iwi / hapū mandated design professionals and artists are appropriately engaged in such processes

Application:

Mana whenua assist in establishing design consortia which are equipped to translate iwi/hapū cultural narratives into the design environment

Shared spaces are created to reflect local iwi/hapu identity and contribute to sense of place

Reinscribe iwi/hapū narratives in the environment through public art and design

Tohu

Acknowledges a Māori world view of the wider significance of tohu / landmarks and their ability to inform the design of specific development sites

Supports a process whereby significant sites can be identified, managed, protected and enhanced

Celebrates local and wider unique cultural heritage and community characteristics that reinforce sense of place and identity

Application:

Recognition of tohu, including wāhi tapu, maunga, awa, puna, mahinga kai and ancestral kainga

Allows visual connection to significant sites to be created, preserved and enhanced

Wider cultural landmarks and associated narratives able to inform building / spatial orientation and general design responses

Heritage trails, markers and interpretation boards