Client
Services
Year
Location
: Te Ahiwaru Trust Board
: Urban Design + Landscape Design + Business Case
: 2023-2024
: Whirinaki, Far North, New Zealand
Te Ahiwaru Ahi Kaa Framework
The Te Ahiwaru Ahi Kaa Framework, developed in partnership with The Urbanist, establishes a comprehensive spatial and cultural framework for the future development and preservation of Te Ahiwaru’s rohe (territory). This framework articulates Te Ahiwaru’s aspirations for cultural, social, environmental, and economic well-being, with a focus on mana motuhake (self-determination) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of their ancestral lands and resources.
The plan integrates GIS data, cultural heritage, and community engagement to protect significant sites such as Otuataua, Maungataketake, and the Oruarangi Awa. It also outlines strategies for restoring native vegetation, enhancing food sovereignty through maara kai (community gardens), and creating educational and eco-tourism opportunities. The framework prioritizes sustainable land use, stormwater retention, and the resilience of papakāinga to climate change. The vision aims for long-term environmental restoration, cultural preservation, and economic self-sustainability.
