Client: Department of Conservation
Services: Māori Stakeholder Engagement, Regenerative Tourism Development
Year: 2022 – 2023
Brief: Conduct a high-level exploration of what a successful upgrade of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi track network looks like from the perspective of a variety of partners and stakeholders.
Contributors: Project Lead – William Stewart; Landscape Architect and Experience Design – Jennifer Parlane (DOC).
We partnered with the Department of Conservation (DOC) on an exciting regenerative tourism development and Maori stakeholder engagement project. Our focus was on the renowned Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walking trail network, undertaking a high-level exploration to envision its upgraded and enhanced potential through the lens of key trail network partners and stakeholders, including iwi, landowners, local Government and community stakeholders.
We facilitated a number of interactive workshops with local mana whenua Ngati Awa hapū and iwi, DOC, and Whakatāne District Council (WDC), fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives could shape the future of this cherished trail system. With guidance from Ngati Awa iwi and hapu leaders, we tapped into invaluable local knowledge, ensuring that the exploration aligned with cultural protocols and respected the interconnectedness of environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors.
Together, we envisioned a future where Ngā Tapuwae o Toi stands as a beacon of regenerative tourism, deeply rooted in cultural significance and ecological preservation.