26 | EIT Campus: Gemco T T Karen Phelps A cohesion of culture and education T T to page 28 “We consulted with Māori and Pacific community representatives to develop the project with their collective vision and support.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Two years after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the Eastern Institute of Technology’s Hawke’s Bay campus, the institution has transformed disaster into opportunity, embedding rich cultural narratives throughout its rebuilt facilities that celebrate both Māori heritage and Pacific connections. The February 2023 cyclone flooded more than 500 rooms across 85 to 90% of groundfloor buildings when the Tūtaekurī River breached stopbanks. “The creative starting point for us was Jacob Scott’s mid-1980s’ stained glass window representing Tāne,” explains Chris Bryant-Toi, EIT’s Poutiaki Taonga (archive and collections manager). “From there, we could connect to other cultures and shared histories, taking something seemingly old and revitalising it with cutting-edge digital technology.” Central to the project is the newly opened Te Papa o Kiwa quadrant, anchored by a limestone mauri stone that survived the cyclone. Formally named Te Taupunga o Parawhenuamea – meaning ‘the anchor that withstands the floodwaters of Parawhenuamea’ – the stone was relocated from beneath a kauri tree and placed during a dawn ceremony attended by staff, students, kaumatua and community representatives. The quadrant connects to the transformed Tim Twist Building, formerly the library, which now serves as the campus’s main student hub. Housing reception, information services, library and IT support, alongside registry and enrolment, the building demonstrates how modern educational needs can be met while honouring cultural heritage, says Glen Harkness, EIT’s operations lead. Throughout these spaces, storytelling walls crafted from Autex panels chronicle the lives of familiar ancestors that have developed technology while engaging with others and their environment. “While most know Māui fished up the North Island, fewer understand that his grandmother Murirangawhenua inspired him to create his barbed hook from her jawbone, or that the ‘aho’ fishing line he wove represents feathery cirrus clouds,” explains Chris. This storytelling approach permeates the recently opened Te Pae Hono - B Block Building, which houses Māori, Pacific and Disability Student Support Services. Here, tāniko-inspired flooring, tapa cloth printed walls and a suspended waka sculpture bring cultural narratives to life. The waka references Takitimu traditions, acknowledging the 13th-century ocean-going vessel that voyaged throughout the Pacific and circumnavigated Aotearoa New Zealand – particularly relevant as EIT delivers Maori and Pacific trades training through the Te Ara o Takitimu consortium, and provides training for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Pacific countries through the NOA - Village of Learning programme Chris and Glen say the collaboration behind these cultural elements exemplifies EIT’s commitment to community engagement. Chris worked with post-graduate artists Kylarni Tamaiva-Eria and Tim Whaitiri-Henderson, both EIT Ideaschool graduates, who have established local design businesses, and who collaborated with Chow:Hill Architects, GEMCO Construction, Autex and others involved in the rebuild. Senior Māori architect Jacob Scott, a former EIT Head of School, provided consultation and Tim collaborated with Jason Kendrick through their Te Ara Hihiko digital whakairo workshop at Waiohiki Arts Village to produce new library shelf bay ends carved by CNC routers on plywood. Kylarni Tamaiva-Eria with her Te Ara o Takitimu acoustic wall design. L T D Proud to support EIT Campus with our Electrical, Security, Data, Fire and Mechanical trades
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