Business South November 2021

6 | WSP Architecture: Te Puka O Te Waka Worthy of hosting Rakiura’s treasures T Kim Newth The museum’s outstanding design has been recognised by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects with a 2021 Southern Architecture Award. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT R akiura Stewart Island’s rich history can be readily explored by visitors and locals alike at the island’s new purpose-built heritage centre - Te Puka O Te Waka, Rakiura Museum. This beautiful new facility owes much to the efforts of local volunteers over many years who worked tirelessly to make this project a reality. As far back as the late 1990s, it had already become obvious that the converted house then being used as a museum was no longer up to the job of storing and displaying Rakiura’s precious treasures. Gradually, through fundraising and grant applications, a point was reached when plans for a replacement could finally be considered with WSP Architecture winning the tender for the museum’s new design. “This project would not have happened without the Rakiura Heritage Trust, in particu- lar their chair Margaret Hopkins,” says Julian O’Sullivan, WSP Architecture Studio Director, Southern. “Effectively, they started from nothing; the work they put in to organise and fundraise for this over some 15 years or more is the real story of this project.” As the first piece of civic infrastructure constructed on the island in over 25 years, this project is very much in line with WSP Architec- ture’s tradition of designing spaces that are meaningful to people and place. “From the outset, I was hugely aware of the significance, importance and beauty that is Rakiura Stewart Island,” says Julian, who along with being the project’s design consultant is also a recreational hunter who has visited the island many times. “The place and its people make this an incredibly unique project and a project of real soul and integrity. It has been a once in a life- time project for me because of that communi- ty and the dedication of those trust members who saw it through to fruition.” The museum’s outstanding design has been recognised by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects with a 2021 Southern Architecture Award. The judges praised it as ‘a fruitful collaboration result- ing in a building that captures the bicultural history and aspirations of the Stewart Island community.’ The prominent wedge-shaped site – rem- iniscent of a boat’s prow - inspired the pro- ject’s rich narrative that is connected with the ocean, maritime history, local iwi, community and environment. The building itself is like a boat with a floating prow housing taonga, with ‘ribs’ down the side of the museum referenc- ing whales’ ribs and local whaling history. Rakiura Stewart Island has a prominent place in Māori mythology as ‘the Anchor Stone of Māui’s Canoe’. The museum’s Māori name – Te Puka O Te Waka – honours this special significance and was gifted by Kāi Tahu. Outside are two anchors representing Māori and European maritime history. Visitors arriving on Rakiura Stewart Island will have no difficulty finding the new muse- um, next to the DOC visitor centre. The front public foyer is a transparently open space that naturally leads visitors through to the exhibi- tions area. In the foyer, a carved pou is an im- pressive sight, referencing both Māori history and the island’s early European history. Thousands of items are in safe storage at the museum, beautifully conserved and able to be accessed by researchers and families Photos: Graham Warman Photography Proud to be associated with WSP Architecture • General Contactors • Gravel & Topsoil Supplies • Site Works • Digger & Truck Hire • Driveways • Efflluent Field Designs • Now Offering Traffic Management! 03 249 9375 teanau.earthworks@xtra.co.nz TILES INVERCARGILL WINTON P: 03 236 7066 305 Great North Road P: 03 218 7014 Cnr Tay & Deveron Street I NVERCARGI LL FLOORING TO SUIT YOUR STYLE TILES