Cultural centre nears end of evolutionary journey

Auckland's first Maori cultural centre has only a resource consent approval to secure before becoming a reality. Planned for the Orakei Reserve at Bastion Point, Te Pa is being seen as the biggest development ever in Maori cultural tourism in Auckland.

Due to open early in 2006, the $16 million project is destined to become the region's cultural icon, providing an experience unlike any seen anywhere in the world in that it will mix 21st century attraction technology with live performances.

The high-tech development will include a 540-seat theatre, art galleries and whare taonga, a carving and weaving centre and a restaurant, all set in a small valley which will be re-vegetated with native forest.

The project has passed its biggest hurdle, having won approval from the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Reserves Board after an exhaustive consultation programme involving both the iwi of the area and the people of the community of the wider Auckland region.

Te Pa will be a 50-50 joint venture between the Ngati Whatua Trust Board - via its company Ngati Whatua Tourism Ltd - and Oceania Attractions Ltd, a company which includes prominent local Maori Joe Hawke, who led the battle for the return of Takaparawhau, or Bastion Point, to his iwi.

Oceania’s managing director Kim Hegan says the decision of the reserves board caps 12 months of real progress for Te Pa.

Kim says a $16 million funding package is in place and he is hopeful that the resource consents will be granted quickly, allowing construction to begin on the hallowed ground of Ngati Whatua. Kim says tourism is all about engaging visitors and authentically entertaining them and this at the very heart of Te Pa.

“We have been constantly watching the changes that have occurred in tourism and have rejigged the project to retain flexibility. Te Pa is the better for it,” says the man who has toured big acts such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Toni Childs and the Eagles.

“What has developed over time is a centre which will have a cutting edge theatre unlike anything seen in the world - in a beautiful setting - close to an existing tourism precinct which includes Kelly Tarltons.”

Joe Hawke (left) and Kim Hegan
on the site of Te Pa.

Kim says Auckland is New Zealand’s most significant gateway city and what Ta Pa will be offering is a gateway experience, just five kilometres from the city’s business heart and hotel zone.

“This will be an introduction to New Zealand and to Maoridom for many of our international visitors,” he says.

“We believe that if we give them an insight into how Maori think, they will be provided with a new way of experiencing this country as they travel through it.”

As for the obvious comparisons that will be drawn with Suzanne Paul’s failed Rawaka venture at Fisherman’s Wharf in Auckland, Kim says that has not deterred anyone involved with Te Pa.

“Rawaka was a hangi and concert - a dinner show. Our research as far back as 1993 told us that is not what Auckland wanted or needed,” Kim says.

“Auckland wants its own Maori cultural centre, a place to present Maori culture authentically, a whare taonga, carving and weaving centre and a forest walk.

“That is what Te Pa will provide.”