A groundbreaking whānau ātea (community gathering space) begins to take shape at Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain this month.
Two new basketball half courts will be patterned with a narrative designed by local Māori artists.
The new community taonga will include a tomokanga (gateway/formal entrance), renewed skatepark and basketball court, natural play spaces, the Kī-o-rahi field, hāngī pit, picnic tables, a wharepaku block and more. Two new disability parking spaces will be formed at the southern end of the site.
'We recognised that many of our Mana Whenua and Māori whānau are a part of this community and we wanted to provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy the maunga', says Paul Majurey – Chair of the Tūpuna Maunga Authority.
'This is a great way for people to learn and respect the cultural and historical values of the maunga in an informal and fun way.'
The whānau ātea is a Tūpuna Maunga Authority initiative that shows the benefits of Mana Whenua and Auckland Council working together through a co-governance arrangement.
It is also the proud outcome of community engagement, and its development is directed by the Values of the Tūpuna Maunga integrated Management Plan.
'We went out to the wider community, including at our annual Love Your Maunga events held on the Maunga in 2019 and 2020. This was followed up with an open day on the Maunga and engagement with the Māngere Mountain Education Trust and others', says Majurey.
Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pūeru / Māngere Mountain stands as one of the last remnants of south Auckland’s ancient landscapes. The Maunga represents an important cultural hub of Maori activity - past, present and future.
The Tūpuna Maunga are becoming increasingly vital places of refuge for whānau, hapū, iwi and community - as was highlighted during every lockdown.
Tracks upgrades to protect the Maunga and enhance visitor experience were completed in April. Restoration planting continues on the Maunga with 11,600 native plants being planted by local schools and at community planting days.
This next stage of the capital works programme creates a destination recreation space for Māngere and the wider region, where whānau can gather, connect, explore, learn and play together in harmony with the natural surrounds, while learning about the cultural and spiritual values of the Tūpuna Maunga.
A kapehu whetū (star compass) will double as a Kī-o-rahi field, and will have a carved basalt stone in the middle, with a tauronarona (tug-o-war).
The redevelopment focuses on creating opportunities for tākaro taiao (nature play). Every element of the whānau ātea has examples of traditional Māori play and skills development referenced in its design.
As part of the redevelopment, 8000 new plants and 60 specimen trees will be planted.
Playground closed
For visitor safety the entire play space will be closed until December 2022 while construction is underway.