Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau: Where identity stands

This thesis investigates how the integration of mātauraka Māori (Māori knowledge) into architectural practice can support and strengthen the connection between people and wāhi tūpuna (ancestral place) at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau, a significant site for the Kāi Tahu iwi. Once a thriving source of sustenance and resources, Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau was deeply intertwined with Kāi Tahu’s identity and practices. However, colonisation disrupted this relationship, eroding both the landscape and the cultural ties to mātauraka Māori that once defined the connection to this whenua. This research explores how architecture can play a role in restoring these connections, reconnecting Kāi Tahu to their ancestral land, and strengthening the knowledge systems tied to the whenua. The research is divided into four key sections: Part 1, Land That Shapes Us, examines the broader relationship between people, identity, and place, exploring the concepts of whakapapa and tūrakawaewae, and the role of architecture in supporting the connection to place. Part 2, Whenua Underfoot, presents a detailed site analysis of Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau, examining its historical, environmental, and cultural significance, while considering how architecture can respond to the values and aspirations of mana whenua. Part 3, Waka, draws on traditional Māori architecture as a living, evolving system, alongside the principles of Cradle to Cradle sustainability. Finally, Part 4, Destination, envisions the proposed architectural outcome as a vessel for reimagining the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between takata and whenua, guided by the principles of mātauraka Māori. The design, Nohoaka, seeks to weave traditional Māori practices into a complex, immersive space, ultimately strengthening the relationship between people and their wāhi tūpuna at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau. The architecture serves as a conduit for cultural renewal, acknowledging its limitations while presenting a holistic approach to sustainable design. By fostering careful interaction with people and mātauraka Māori, Nohoaka aims to heal the connection between people and place disrupted by colonisation.