Reconnecting through Marae Papakāinga: Kaumātua housing as a catalyst for a vibrant Marae and healthy Taiao.

Mā wai rā e taurima Te marae I waho nei, Mā te tika, Mā te pono, Me te aroha e.

Who will tend To the marae here? Truth, honesty And love will.

Te Piiti marae is the heart of the Ōmanaia community. Located in the upper reaches of the Hokianga Harbour in the Far North of Aotearoa. Deforestation of native forests around the Hokianga in the 1830s decimated the natural landscapes of this area polluting water ways, increasing erosion and flooding, and caused the loss of traditional food sources from local streams, awa and ngahere. Reliance on native forests and traditional food sources including planting and cropping for sustenance has reduced over time. Further to this, urbanisation has resulted in the marae itself struggling to maintain its functions and connection with its people over time.

This architectural thesis embarks on a transformative journey to uncover the profound ways in which the design of papakāinga can not only enhance the wellbeing of the Ōmanaia Marae community but also instigate the rejuvenation of the surrounding environment within the holistic framework of Te Ao Māori. Rooted in Tikanga and core Māori values, this thesis champions the interconnectedness between the prosperity of the land and the flourishing of its people. The design of Te Piiti Marae Papakāinga will create a range of opportunities for the flourishing of the people of Ōmanaia. It will give the opportunity for kaumātua and kuia to live close to the marae. For some of them this may be the first time that they have ever been back on their tribal lands. This will allow the marae to be a busy, thriving place - not just in times of tangihanga. It will allow the opportunity for people to reconnect to Te Ao Māori, to enhance the land through kaitiakitanga and to engage with young people and to provide economic opportunities and employment. This thesis also looks at how standalone marae may be enhanced by whānau moving back home to build near the marae and, how a marae once it has housing built as part of its complex becomes a village or papakāinga. This is a key relationship that needs to be considered. They are not separate but are complemen