Abstract:
Landscapes are a fundamental component for the identity of people. This is evident through the eyes of the indigenous Māori people who express, like many indigenous cultures, that identity is formed from ones interconnected relationship to the land. For Māori, land is embodied as a part of their identity formed by the principle of whakapapa and importantly mātauranga. Mātauranga Māori is the comprehensive body of traditional indigenous knowledge built over centuries of both physical and metaphysical paradigms. Much of the knowledge obtained, originated from te taiao, where the importance of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests and place, established one’s sense of tūrangawaewae.
Since the first colonial migrations to Aotearoa/New Zealand, much of the traditional knowledge acquired and developed over generation’s are at great risk of western dominance. Western science and knowledge has altered the endemic Aotearoa/New Zealand landscape dramatically depleting many natural ecologies. Forests and waterways continue to be in jeopardy from commercialisation and urbanisation, where the current urban environment questions the way we appreciate and make sense of our endemic natural landscape. Alterations to the land has prompted changes in people’s beliefs and values, and sense of identity.
Mātauranga has slowly begun to be reintroduced into the urban environment as a progressive way forward. This research builds upon the concept to promote mātauranga, reconnecting people and place, and improving one’s
sense of identity. With more than 88% of Māori now residing in urban areas, and many non-Māori unaware of indigenous cultural values and beliefs, the focus looks to provide a place of gathering, learning, engaging, reflecting, healing and belonging, preserving and appreciating Aotearoa/New Zealand’s cultural expression of the landscape. The research looks upon a regenerating valley system near the heart of Wellington City, reviving the Māori beliefsof ki uta ki tai and that of hīkoi. The research looks at opportunities to better express and understand bi-culturalism
