The partnership with mana whenua has been an important component in the development of the Manukau Bus Station. Auckland Transport has maintained a close working relationship with mana whenua during the project from concept design development through to construction.
Regular hui have helped set clear narratives and priorities for structural design and cultural elements. Several of the mana whenua groups that were consulted included:
- Ngāti Tamaoho
- Ngāti Paoa Trust
- Te Ākitai Waiohua
- Ngai Tai Ki Tāmaki
- Ngāti Te Ata
During the concept stage, the combined iwi groups were asked to identify the relevant Te Aranga principles that should be incorporated in the bus station design.
These include:
- Comprehensive use of natural timber finishes and inclusion of prominent Iwi art features. Mana whenua were invited to submit art designs. Te Ākitai Waiohua and Ngāti Tamaoho have since been commissioned to create the pieces.
- A net (kupenga) motif referencing Kaiwhare (the guardian of the Manukau), designed by Amiria Puuia-Taylor, will be a feature of the glass façade.
- Effective treatment and management of storm water via rain gardens championed by environmental officer Lucie Rutherfurd of Ngāti Tamaoho with strong support from all iwi. This initiative and the requirement for treatment by this method has been made a condition of the development consents and the gardens created will provide an attractive landscape.
- Passive temperature control methods and abundant native planting to improve the bus station environment.
The landscape/streetscape solution is a collaborative effort between the architects (Beca), mana whenua, AT and Panuku Development.
