April 8, 2011

Ngati Whatua o Orakei project manager Renata Blair says the Waka Maori team is delighted by the interest being shown in his iwi’s Rugby World Cup project.

He says it is good to have people getting emotionally interested in Waka Maori either for it or against what they think it is.

Blair says he has been overwhelmed by the support and the comments about the project. We have had a lot of people get in touch saying ‘Good on you’ and ‘Make it special’.

“We have had the knockers as well and that’s fine because as a taxpayer I ask those kinds of questions myself. We have no problem with everything being said – and it is election year so we can expect a few people taking the opportunity to lob rocks to and fro.

“What it means is that we have to deliver a standout series of events and surpass the expectation we have promised. We are up for that.”

Blair says there are a couple of things that people have got wrong that need to be clarified.

“The building itself is not a waka, it is a pavilion in the general shape of a waka. We have been quite mindful of the need for cultural sensitivity especially around the use of something as sacred as a waka. What we are creating is a multi-cultural events centre.”

He says the ‘plastic’ title is a little wayward.

The concept and design work began last August and the material the waka-like pavilion is being made of is a special tension membrane used widely in modern buildings. It can be seen at Auckland Airport, the Northland Stadium and will cover the stunning Cloud being built at Queens Wharf. The tension makes it hard and the material is completely recyclable.

The ribs of the waka pavilion are being made from glu-laminated timber. Designed to be dissembled at the end of the world cup, the waka fits into two shipping containers and will be used for other events throughout the world.

“What is very cool about the design is that while the whole pavilion is 70 metres long it is being built in a modular structure so it can be shortened if some future event suited a smaller area. So it has flexibility in how it can be used for future events.”

The waka is designed to withstand all the wind requirements for anywhere in the world. We have contingencies in case of cyclone conditions during the event.

The pavilion will have full lighting, sound, air conditioning, catering kitchens and heating systems. The outer walls will also be used for projecting images onto.

Blair says they are on track with the design and construction schedule.

“Once the pavilion is in place then the event crews take over. The same crews will be used for changeovers that do that work at the Vector Arena where they have to set up for a concert and then quickly change for a netball international. The event crews are experienced at large scale events.”

He says the events schedule detail is now being put in place. The programme of activity includes formal dinners seating up to 210, staging for concerts and performance events, and catering facilities.

“Inside and around the waka, visitors to New Zealand will be able to see and be a part of a Maori cultural experience and the vitality of Maori rugby. We are very mindful that people will be interested in culture, business and performance but they are here for rugby and Maori have always had a passion for that.”

There are two streams of activity – a formal programme of a Maori business expo, opportunities for creating business connections, concerts, dinners and events. Then there are a planned series of ‘street’ events around the waka where people will be able to meet former All Blacks and Maori All Blacks, will be engaged in story telling, will be asked to participate in learning waiata and learn to use poi.

This is the place where the guitars will come out and people will take away the experience of having fun and being warmly welcomed into a group of people who are proud to show their culture and what it is to be Maori in the 21st century.

Waka Maori is comprised of five components, to be staged in the purpose-built structure and foreground of Te Wero Island.

1. Waka Mānu. Launch Dinner and Business Networking.
2. Herenga Waka. Artisan village where quality taonga are on display and available for purchase directly from the artists. Live tā moko, carving and weaving exhibitions will also take place, with visitors able to book and/or commission their own taonga.
3. Waka Ngahau. Performing Arts. Each day that Waka Maori runs, free public events will be available (including traditional and contemporary performance and entertainment).
4. Waka Tākaro. Working with New Zealand Maori Rugby, Waka Maori will include an exhibition telling the story of Māori people’s involvement and influence on rugby’s development in New Zealand.
5. Waka Ūmanga. Māori Business Sector Promotions and Expo; a modern-day take on traditional cuisine; economic development; performance; entertainment.

ENDS

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