Imagining Decolonised Cities

How can our urban landscapes and built environments acknowledge local iwi identities and work to alleviate social problems and promote ‘just’ places for all whanau?

How can we encourage places where Māori, Pākehā and all cultural groups feel ‘at home’, feel that they can thrive and can make the choices that they want in relation to their living environments?

These were the questions asked as part of the Imagining Decolonised Cities project and contest, a collaboration between Victoria University of Wellington and Ngāti Toa, supported by the National Commission through our Major Grants Fund.

Entrants were asked to re-imagine the Onepoto arm of Te Awarua o Porirua (Porirua Harbour) edge as a ‘decolonised’ space that clearly acknowledges Māori identities in the landscape.

Check out this korero from the winning Under 18 team – Watene Campbell, Christian Mauriri and Paige Scruton Nepe Apatu (the other team member Te Hoera Sullivan was away overseas) from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna.

To learn more about the Imagining Decolonised Cities project download the PDF below or to view entrants’ submissions visit www.idcities.co.nz