New east stand at Taranaki's stadium reflects region's identity

RNZ News

11 hours ago

WEEKEND NEWS
An aerial shot of the stadium's East Stand.
Photo:
Supplied/Clelands Construction
The iconic view of Taranaki Maunga reflected in the Pouākai Tarns and the flow of rivers from the mountain to the sea provided the inspiration for the design of the
new East Stand at Stadium Taranaki (formerly Yarrow Stadium)
.
Ngāti Te Whiti hapu led the design narrative, providing an identity for the stand which has been rebuilt.
The $80 million redevelopment of the New Plymouth stadium came about after two covered stands were declared earthquake prone.
Kerehama Waru Te Pū worked on the narrative for five years, collaborating with hapū members who passed on their knowledge of the area to shape the design with a focus on how the stadium could bring the community together.
New Plymouth-born Waru Te Pū, a graphic designer who works as a freelance artist and cultural monitor, said developing the concept through to the completion of the project had been a collaborative effort involving hapū members, Boon architects, contractors, stadium owners Taranaki Regional Council and its operators New Plymouth District Council.
Kerehama Waru Te Pū at the stadium.
Photo:
Supplied/Taranaki Regional Council
"We started by looking at the location and the history of the area and what it was used for.
"Sketches by Frederick Carrington showed the area was a tributary swamp catchment of the Huatoki Stream and that link to water and the environment became the main focus.
"This was reinforced by working with Damon Ritai at the hapū and hearing about the history of the Huatoki and the Poukaka Pa and Maratahu Pa, and a brief history of the environment.
"Referencing back to that focus on water, the main design on the East Stand is of Taranaki Maunga on the building and the reflection is on the concourse, reflecting the view of the Maunga from the tarn. That's the inspiration for the design."
Waru Te Pū said each point in the design represented the different maunga tipua (different peaks) with the reds in the lower section representing the Pouākai Range and other peaks.
The whites represent snow, blues were water melted by the sun (the yellows), reinforcing the connection with water as it moved from the Maunga to the moana.
"There are also connections to harakeke (flax) or weaving which was a highly prized thing in Taranaki and that's part of the history and environment we've focused on."
The design narrative continued inside with windows and doors repeating the patterns on the outside of the buildings, while rivers on the walls of level one have been directly sketched from Carrington's original drawings of waterways in the area.
"I hope that someday this design narrative can extend to other parts of the stadium," Waru Te Pū said.
Ngāti Te Whiti chairman Shelton Healey it had been a privilege for Ngāti Te Whiti to help shape the design and identity of the new East Stand.
"It's a reflection of our whenua, our waters and our stories.
"We see this as a modern expression of our history and look forward to our narrative continuing to flow through future developments not only at the stadium, but throughout Ngāmotu New Plymouth."
TRC chair Craig Williamson said Ngāti Te Whiti and Waru Te Pū had helped to give the East Stand a strong identity.
"The completed East Stand is an outstanding facility for the people of Taranaki and the vital contribution Ngāti Te Whiti has made has absolutely enhanced the completed stadium.
"Using the view of the Maunga reflected in the Pouākai Tarns was an inspired choice and really makes the stand unique to our region and our amazing environment.
"We're extremely grateful to Ngāti Te Whiti for their continued support and we believe working together on this project has strengthened our ties with the hapū."
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