The world is loving our Puhinui mission

28 October 2021

  • Manukau
  • News

Our ambitious plan to regenerate a polluted Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland waterway has won praise from an international landscape architecture association.

Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui has received an ‘Outstanding Award’ in the Unbuilt Parks and Environment category at this year’s Asia Pacific International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) awards. This category is focused on showing sound strategy aligned with a clear vision to enhance greater sustainability for cities and environments.

Puhinui Award

The judges deemed this “an excellent project that integrates Western ecological planning and design strategies with indigenous narratives. The layering of metaphysical information and design quality is impressive, while the methodology, planning process and design guidelines are highly innovative, exhibiting exemplary thought leadership.”

The plan was commissioned as part of our Transform Manukau programme and responds directly to the unique character of Te Puhinui, addressing current issues related to population growth, urban development, ecological degradation, climate adaptation, social deprivation and building capacity / capability.

It is a collaborative effort between Waiohua Iwi, Eke Panuku and Healthy Waters, and has the support of senior leadership at Auckland Council, The Southern Initiative, Manurewa and Otara-Papatoetoe Local Boards, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) and Kainga Ora.

Mana whenua representative and Te Akitai Waiohua chair Karen Wilson is delighted that mana whenua input into this project is being recognised: ‘‘This award acknowledges that a Te Ao Māori lens, seen through our eyes and sharing of our whakapapa and beliefs, has enabled this holistic and inclusive approach. This kaupapa is an example of the integration of ‘lore and law‘ so each has a part to play.”

This project has also been selected to be showcased in a virtual Climate Change exhibition as part of the COP26 proceedings at the Glasgow Science Centre next month. We're delighted that this project is receiving international recognition, and are looking forward to activating it over the coming years.