Puhi Kai Iti – Cook Landing

Boffa Miskell was engaged by Gisborne District Council to develop a design scheme for the redevelopment of this significant site in Gisborne. The initial project scope entailed landscape architectural design, development of cultural and historical narratives, and storytelling in conjunction with Ngāti Oneone.

The project was extended to include the development of a new pedestrian bridge connecting to Taumata o Titīrangi. The bridge is of a circular design and will contain cultural and historical narratives relating to the 1000 years of navigation to New Zealand.

Ngāti Oneone as the original guardians of Puhi Kai Iti have a strong connection to this place, but historical events have challenged those traditional connections. A fundamental component of the project is to deliver on the aspirations of mana whenua.

This challenging project has involved many design and project components including public consultation, cultural narratives and complex resource consent requirements. The design team has risen to these challenges through collaborative, open and proactive communication with all stakeholders.

We continue to work closely with the Department of Conservation, Council and Ngāti Oneone representatives to ensure that the project will be constructed and ready for the 250-year anniversary of Cook’s landing in late 2019.

Our role
Landscape architecture

Project team
Morné Hugo
Cathy Challinor
Rory Gray

Worked with
Opus
Tiaki Consultants