Telling our stories in road safety projects

Safety improvement projects on two stretches of road are drawing on the cultural aspirations of hapū.

Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa (Te Kotahitanga) has been working with Te Atiawa hapū Manukorihi, Ngāti Rāhiri, Otaraua, Pukerangiora and Puketapu and alongside Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency on Te Ara Tūtohu, stretching from Waitara to Bell Block, and the section of State Highway 3 from New Plymouth to Hāwera.

Iwi discussions are underway on the naming of the SH3 passage and a name is expected to be released soon.

Te Kotahitanga Pouwhakakaupapa/Project Manager Gina Blackburn is helping with the coordination of the workstream.

“The role of Te Kotahitanga in this collaboration is to support the aspirations of our hapū,” she says.

“Waka Kotahi proposed safety improvements to these two passages. They have been associated with shocking crash statistics and our hapū were keen to get involved and address some of the issues.”

Many sites of cultural significance and wāhi tapu line the roads. Cultural monitors were placed at these sites on behalf of hapū to observe earthworks and excavation.

“Otaraua and Manukorihi hapū have been vital during the ongoing Princess Street road works as part of the Te Ara Tūtohu project,” Gina says.

Hapū have also been helping with design and construction planning at a series of roundabouts being built on Te Ara Tūtohu.

Gina says the work will strengthen cultural connections between hapū and their whenua.

“It is a great opportunity to bring back the presence of our hapūtanga and Te Atiawatanga to these areas. It also brings pride in place.

Four sculptural works of art will be installed along the network, all reflecting hapū and iwi in different ways. Internationally renowned artist Rangi Kipa is leading the installations.

The Kaitiaki Forum for Te Ara Tūtohu hapū representatives are; Mawhaturia White, Geoff White and Olympia Merito-Hoben (Manukorihi), Alaine Tamati-Aubrey (Ngāti Rāhiri), Donna Eriwata and Rawinia Ngohe (Otaraua), Nardia Lichtwark (Pukerangiora) and Anaru Wilkie, Fern Brand, Theresa Patu and Kelly Moeahu (Puketapu).

The Kaitiaki Forum hapū representatives for New Plymouth to Hāwera are; Bev Gibson (Ngāti Tawhirikura), Rita Rukuwai (Ngāti Tūparikino) and Julie Healey (Ngāti Te Whiti).