Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Masterplan
Supporting a forward-looking vision for hapū to create a resilient future
Project Details
| Client | Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust |
| Sector | Culture & Community, Masterplanning, Residential |
| Location | Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland |
| Discipline | Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Size | 110ha |
| Design Collaborator: | Haumi (client representative) |
Mō tātou, ā tātou tamariki, me ngā reanga ā muri ake nei (For us, our children, and those yet to come).
Jasmax has worked with Ngāti Whatua Ōrākei and its representatives to develop a visionary masterplan that outlines how the hapū would like to see future generations thrive on its 110 hectares of whenua (land) in central Tāmaki Makaurau. Prepared in collaboration with Haumi, the masterplan establishes a holistic multi-generational vision for how all whānau could be connected to and live in harmony with the land.
Jasmax has grown a relationship with the wider Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei group through papa kāinga housing developments over some time. As a result, a depth of understanding, respect and shared values have been established, providing a solid foundation for embarking on the Ōrākei masterplan.
The future-focused masterplan’s overarching aim is to support the hapū in living aligned to its values, while providing inter-generational opportunities for housing on their papa kāinga at Ōrākei. The hapū desire is that the community sets an international standard for indigenous peoples living with their land, supporting a secure, resilient, and self-reliant way of life.
A masterplan that seeks to empower
A bespoke design process was established that guided and empowered whānau, the benefactors of such aspirational plans, ensuring they would take ownership of the plan and foster it over time. This included a combination of initial interactive whānau-focused visioning wānanga (workshops), followed by the establishment of a steering rōpū, who cocreated the iho (vision), mātāpono (principles) and further responded to and challenged the outcomes of the masterplan.
The guiding mātāpono (principles) were crafted in the early phases of this kaupapa, to underscore the vision for the masterplan and guide future phases of work. These included restoring, protecting and enhancing the taiao (natural environment); enabling social equity to foster a resilient and prosperous community; ensuring a holistic approach to hauora (health and wellbeing) is integrated into daily life and that the identity of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is reflected in the built environment.
Following the wānanga, Jasmax proposed a series of key activations which work towards achieving the iho and mātāpono. These included reconnecting whenua to moana, re-establishing a distinct hapū identity throughout the papa kāinga, and celebrating Kupe Street as a symbolic ridge beam to support whanaungatanga (kinship), while connecting the green ‘lungs’ of Pourewa and Takaparawhau, continuing to the Waitematā Harbour.
Key activations also included diversity of housing options for whānau on the whenua, embedding cultural infrastructure into the fabric of the community, a new kura (school) to anchor the community which would treat the whole community as a classroom, creating a resilient energy network, and fostering the growth of a circular response to kai and waste.
The masterplan acts as a framework, which sets out options and pathways to deliver hapū aspirations. Its development has led to a step-by-step implementation plan, which breaks down opportunities into tangible projects, while contextualising how they relate to the bigger picture.
As part of this work, Jasmax has subsequently completed a housing strategy for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, while continuing to help shape a unique built environment for whānau, which addresses the need for high-quality homes and broader outcomes related to cultural identity, employment and sustainable living.
