Pohara Marae
[San]ctuary Logan Autagavaia
“Kia mau ki te whenua, hei papakainga mo ake tonu” “Keep the land, a home forever.”
Contents Vision 5 Context 7 Maps -Elevation 8 -Slope 9 -Hydro 10 -Flow Accumalation 11 -Land Use Capabilities 12 -Land Cover 13 Group Strategy 14 Client 15 Master Plan 16 Cross Section 17 Perspectives 18 Zoning Map 20 Networks 22 Planting Guide 23 Riparian Planting 24 3D Extrusions 26 References 30
Vision
The foundation of the vision for Pohara, is to to restore the surrounding environment to its former glory, from the streams that feed into the Waikato River to the rolling hills and the patches of native forests that aid in the context of Maungatautari Mountain as a whole. All in attepts to keep the land, which is a home forever.
Context of Site
Pohara is located in Pukeatua in the Waikato region, which is situated at the base of Maungatautari Mountain.It is surrounded by extensive vast land that is rich in soil content, containing fertile volcanic ash. Surrounded by rolling hills and mountains which can be seen at great distances. It is easily identified by cultivated farmland, dairy pasture and the Waikato River. The people living in the area are outnumbered by the numourous cattle grazing the plains. Patches of native forests still remain in the area, but due to the many developments in the area, such as the construction of damns and the extensive farming in the region, the native forests are becoming smaller and smaller as each year passes by.
The elevation map gives an understanding of shape and shows us the elevation transition that runs from the surrounding landscape through the site boundary. In collaboration with the contour lines and the colour coordination, the landscape has rare formation. The high elevation areas flow from the north-western down through to the south-eastern area. The site sits evenly between the high elevation area and the low elevations areas, creating an opportunity for this design to connect and develop the landscape.
Pohara consists of a variety of slope angles from rolling relief to gullies, steep terrain and channelling valleys. This is a result of thousands of years of geological processes. The dark red coloration illustrates the slope angles that are over 20+ degrees. This steep terrain gives an aesthetic presence and is an iconic landmark for the Ngati Koroki Kahukura people. It also provides shelter from northerly winds.In saying this, it can also create disturbing southerly winds which could affect micro climates and vegetation used. The orange coloration shows the slopes that are less than 30 degrees. These are optimal for production of dairy, deer and beef stock because there are rolling reliefs and few gullies.
The 1st stream orders merge into a single stream which flows with the landscape around the boundaries of the site. The sources of the streams are traced back into the steep slopes of the landscape. The sources and flow of the streams will be incorporated into the suggested design development, which will highlight the cultural and ecological appreciation of the puna.
Water accumulation map shows where water settle and collect over time, and the relationship the water accumulation has on the stream and land. Water accumulation generally occurs on areas covered with foresty and/or flat landscape, and on this landscape most of the accumulation happens after the steep hills. Areas of high accumulation are considered to be limited with potential development, unless landscape is reshaped to suit development. If left untreated areas of high water accumulation would not be suitable for certain developments such as buildings and infrastructure. The proposed development will allocate areas of development depend heavily on water accumulation and arability.
The dominant land cover around the landscape is Grassland – high producing, stretching from the top of the steep slopes through down to the stream. The low producing grassland areas are the areas which have steep slopes, creating areas which have various limitations for arable use. The marae and papakainga areas are categorised as settlement areas. Existing land cover is crucial to the development of this project, identifying how the land is being used so that these areas could be evaluated, potentially developing a design to change the land cover or enhancing the existing land cover.
Land Use Capabilities determine whether the land is arable, and whether it is suitable for development. The steep hills on site is not suitable or is incapable for certain developments such as pastures and grazing lands, therefore this land is considered infertile. Majority of the land around the marae is arable land, extending to the land on the other side of the stream. In order to form a strategy for the site, areas that are arable or non-arable must be identified so Land use appointed to certain areas may flourish.
Group Strategy [San]ctuary’s vision is to provide assistance to the Ngati Koroki Kahukura of Pohara Marae to strengthen their sense of identity to the land, with our key focus on the preservation of their Awa. Pohara is but a small component within a larger ecology that has no isolated landscapes. [San]ctuary decided it’s best to explore areas such as the definitions of the land use, catchments and sub-catchments and overall hydrology within Waikato region. By using these investigative techniques, [San]ctuary can conclude that the Waikato River as an ecologically and culturally sensitive part of the landscape. The Waikato River and sub streams are continuously being affected by soil erosion and sediment build-up, around 7-30 tons of topsoil per hectare are lost on cropping land annually because of erosion. However in 2002, the riparian fence method was introduced to the river and over the years it has improved the lands stability by 40%. In saying this, there still remains just under 1,500 kilometres of eroding stream banks on pastoral land. There are several benefits to the use of riparian planting and fencing. Including but not limited to less direct pathway for nutrients, sediment and faecal coliforms to enter the waterway, less disturbance of the stream bed by stock trampling. For these reasons [San]ctuary are adopting this method of soil preservation and developing upon it with regard to the Waikato River and sub-streams, with relation to Pohara and the aim to improve the bank stability and overall ecosystem in the area. We believe that riparian fencing will reduce the amount of erosion and sediment build-up and thus improving overall water quality and flow of the river and ultimately, the ecosystem within the Waikato region.
Client
Ngati Koroki Kahukura’s vision is to restore, and connect with the surrounding environment for future generations to appriciate and enjoy. At the moment, direct and indirect factors impact the environment, as native plants have declined substantially in the passing years.
In order to help Ngati Koroki Kahukura’s, implimation of ecological aspects of Maori cultute is used in the design development and perceptive. As an essential part of Matauranga, the surrounding environment is very much alive and inter-connected with each other, with a need to be influenced in a way that it may be restored to its former glory for generations to come.
Master Plan Master Plan N
Scale 1:6000 @A1
Legend Contour Lines Property Line Riparian Fencing River Riparian Planting Existing Plants Proposed Plants Exisitng Buildings
This design focuses on rejuvination, sustainability, communial and traditional values, a place where everyone can enjoy. It combines to aspects of culture and vitility, making Pohara central hub for living, learning, entertainment and a place to feel at home. This community hub includes Pohara marae, Kenana, a kai whare, mix use buildings and an open communal area for outdoor activities. The main entrance road layout has been changed with a round- about for easier access for cars to the central hub and to the papakainga housing at the back. It also provides a visual link to the culturally front face of the marae and entrance way. Residents and visitors can take a scenic walk throughout the site on the path provided, which links to view shafts of the streams over the bridges and the majestic hillside of the cliffs on site. Communal gardens allow to grow traditional and medicinal plants that provide a learning experience for the younger generation and vistors alike.
Papakainga Housing Asphalt Footpath Bridge Crops Cattle Farm Recreational Area Flax Plantings Rain Garden Community Garden Kumara Patch Native Replanting
Cross Section 1:500 @A2
Zoning Map Exising Vegitation. Pohara has a great amount of natural vegitaion remaining on site, which are remenants of the native forest that existed in the Waikato region.
Community Gardens Proposed community gardens can be established in this area, which is arable land to grow native flora, and medicinal crops.
Recreational Area A place to unwind and have fun, an open space specifacally for fields used for rugby and soccer, or an area of leisure for picnics and dog walking.
Native Revegitation A proposed area where a native forest can possibly be grown, adding more of a buffer zone from prevailing south westerly winds.
Kumara Patches An area designated for kumara pits for both local and commercial use. Also an essential crop for a marae to teach the younger generation of tradtional methods used to maintain this valuable crop.
Rain Garden A native rain garden used to filtrate water runoff from the steep slopes into the cropland in beside it.
Crop Land Two disignated areas, where different crops can be grown, from corn to wheat, helping pohara financially, as well as being a source of food.
Pohara Development
Cattle Farming An area for cattle raising, where they can graze in leisure and stay fenced in to avoid roaming.
Network
Comprised of a 6 metre wide road for easy access in and out of Pohara and a 2m wide foot path, networking within the site utilises comprehensive paths influenced by the landscape and is sensitive to the ecological and hydrological processes based on site. The footpaths connect to three out of the four Pa sites in Pohara, and comprimises of a series of bridges to ensure minimal human disturbance on the stream, paths comprised of base layers of gap 20 and gap 7 to allow water penertration into the ground compared to impermable surfaces such as concrete.
Planting Guidelines Various new plants will be introduced onto the site, the plants suggested will cover the areas from crops to riparian planting,, and the restoration of natural vegitation. All these plants are native to the area of Waikato, and will help in revitalising the ecology in the area. Plants include; -Cabbage tree (ti kouka) -Pukio (Carex Secta) -Summer-flowering toetoe -Cutty grass (rautahi) -Swamp sedge (purei) -Manuka -Akeake -Broadleaf (kapuka)
-Kahikatea -Mahoe -Mingimingi -Swamp Flax -Kumara -Taro -Corn -Wheat
Plants for riparian are to planted in a specific way in specific zones (refer to page 25). With taller species of plants such as Akeake and kapuka, to be planted on the upper banks to provide shade and shelter and help stabalize the bank itself. Other species of plants that are chosen on this list are wet/damp tolerent, which is perfect for rejuvinating the stream, encouraging stream flow and tuna repopulation. Crops such as kumara and corn can be an alterate source of income and encourage healthy eating.
Riparian Planting Riparian planting and management is the restoration, enhancement and the construction of wetlands, rivers or streams inside a certain area. It plays an important part because it stabilizes the land in many ways. Some of the benefits of riparian planting include: -Protects riparian systems from livestock. It acts as a deterrent from any cattle that could destroy or pollute its waterways. -Filters the water. Riparian plants help clean the water running through your property. -Prevents erosion. It minimizes erosion problems, especially if you plant native trees such as cabbages, it helps strengthen the land. -Filters pollution. Riparians systems can carry pollutants along the way, plants help filter out most of these pollutants. -Moderates water flow. Using a riparian system moderates flow of water in your property, which helps prevent flooding. - Riparians also moderate water temperature. Improved water condition allows fishes and other water creatures to thrive. - They also provide food to aquatic insects and fishes.Riparian system also bring a wider variety of water species with commercial value, giving landowner alternative sources of income.
Riparian planting is a huge factor in this strategy, focusing mainly on rejuvinating the three streams in Pohara, to improve the water quality and increase the population of the tuna (eels) in Pohara. Using the right native plants and the correct method in sowing these plants is essential, so that these plants remain on site for many years to come.
The riparian planting strategy is seperated into zones of important significance. The two main zones which require riparian planting are the lower bank zone and the the upper bank zone. For the lower bank zone plant; -Cabbage tree (ti kouka) -Pukio (Carex Secta) -Summer-flowering toetoe -Cutty grass (rautahi) -Swamp sedge (purei) For the upper bank zone plant; -Manuka -Akeake -Broadleaf (kapuka) -Kahikatea -Mahoe -Mingimingi
Lower Bank Zone: This is the strip of land prone to flooding, where plants have to be most tolerant of waterlogging. Use lower bank zone plants which are well rooted and can survive many days under water.
Riparian fencing used in order to keep cattle out of the new riparian planting zones and the causing damage to the stream
Lower Bank Zone
Upper Bank Zone
Grass Buffer Zone
Upper Bank Zone: This zone is on higher ground but may still be partially flooded every couple of years. Use upper bank zone plants, which tend to be trees and shrubs to provide shade and shelter.
Grass Buffer Zone: A one metre wide grass stripshould be left around all fences. This will help to filter out sediment, phosphorus and faecal bacteria from runoff and prevent plantings from tripping electric wires or being grazed.
References Gibbs, M. (2007, June). Best practice guildlines for vegitation Managment and In Stream Works. Retrieved from Waikato Region: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/PageFiles/5677/tr0741.pdf Reeves, P. (2006, March 1). Sustainable riparian planting in urban and rural landscapes. Retrieved from Niwa: https://www.niwa.co.nz/publications/wa/ vol14-no1-march-2006/sustainable-riparian-plantings-in-urban-and-rural-landscapes Swarbrick, N. (2015, June 30). Waikato Region. Retrieved from TE ARA: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/waikato-region Waterway Managment. (2015, May). Retrieved from Waikato Regional Council: http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Community/Your-community/ For-Farmers/Waterways-and-wetland-management/ Waterway Technote. (n.d.). Retrieved from dairynz: http://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/2071981/planting-waterway-technote.pdf