Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park: Tauranga, New Zealand | Boffa Miskell

Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park encompasses 135 hectares of hilly landscapes up to 224m above sea level. Among its features are a working sheep farm, native regenerative forest land, wetlands, springs, hillside tussock, and views over Tauranga, Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui and Maketū. There are several tracks through the park which can be used to enjoy the views and explore archaeological features from extensive Pā sites carved into the hills, the many puna wai (springs) and areas of wāhi tapu (spiritual significance).

The Māori history of the place dates back to 1150 and involves centuries of multiple iwi (tribes) coming and going, living in times of peace and war. Over 1600 individual archaeological features are recorded in the park, predominantly elements of a Māori Pā site, including terraces, platforms, storage pits, middens and defensive earthworks.  

Prior to the upgrades, the entrance to the park offered little recognition or appreciation for the significance of the site and centuries of generational pre-European history.

Boffa Miskell, together with Law Creative Group and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, worked with the local Iwi to hear the site’s unique stories and provide a landscape design and wayfinding strategy that would acknowledge history through an experiential response.

Mana Whenua were true co-designers, involved from beginning to end through sharing stories, reviewing designs and providing input. They were involved in the wider landscape and ecological enhancement, as well as advising on signage and wayfinding narratives

The outcome is spiritually and experientially site-specific. The design uses and recreates the landscape forms, including naturalising waterways; and incorporates a suite of colours and materials reflecting the site’s narratives.

Visitors are now provided with a unique experience, far more than a simple car park and park entrance upgrade. Thoughtful design choices and considered implementation deliver maximum impact and information, while allowing the landscape and history to remain front-and-centre. Meaningful contributions express Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview) through colour and materials, including bespoke detailing for stone and timber elements. A notable centrepiece incorporates an octagon 3D topographical map of the park with granite stone surround.

Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park

Boffa Miskell: Matt Peacocke (design lead) Topsy Steele and Bryan Sanson

Collaborating designers: Law Creative
Client: Bay of Plenty Regional Council

External Collaborators: Stratum Consultants, WSP, HEB, Streetscape, Horizon International, PermaLoo

Iwi Working Group representatives:
Aroha Ririnui | Ngāti Hē
Maru Tapsell | Waitaha
Whareoteriri Rahiri (Whare / Sonny) | Waitaha
Vivienne Robinson | Waitaha
Matire Duncan | Ngā Pōtiki
Dr Des Kahotea | Ngā Pōtiki
Buddy Mikaere | Ngāti Pūkenga

Image Credits: Boffa Miskell

Photography: Matt Peacocke for Boffa Miskell

About Damian Holmes 3449 Articles
Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA). He is a registered landscape architect (AILA) working in international design practice in Australia. Damian founded WLA in 2007 to provide a website for landscape architects written by landscape architects. Connect on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianholmes/