Te Aka: Mana Ahuriri Trust Partnership in Napier’s Civic Precinct Project
Kia ora whānau, this is just a bit of info about another kaupapa we’re invloved with.
Project Overview
Te Aka is Napier’s new library and civic precinct currently under construction by MCLStead (a joint venture between MCL Construction and Stead Construction). The project is located on land that was previously the seafloor of Te Whanganui-a-Orotū lagoon before being lifted during the 1931 earthquake.
Mana Ahuriri Role and Structure
Mana Ahuriri serves as the Post Settlement Governance Entity for the Ahuriri Hapū. The Trust operates as a private entity established to receive and manage proceeds from the Ahuriri Deed of Settlement with the Crown. Their involvement in Te Aka extends beyond consultation to active partnership in design and construction oversight.
The Trust works in collaboration with Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust, with both organizations providing cultural guidance and oversight for the project.
Cultural Monitoring Implementation
Personnel and Process
- Cultural Monitor: Darren Tareha (Mana Ahuriri) – experienced in cultural monitoring across Hawke’s Bay projects and works closely with Heritage New Zealand
- Cultural Inductions: Delivered by Chad Tareha (Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust), Gareth Boyt (Mana Ahuriri), and Neala Rosandich (HTK Group)
- Recipients: MCLStead construction staff, subcontractors, Napier City Council, and The Building Intelligence Group
Objectives
Cultural monitoring ensures:
- Protection of cultural heritage and environmental values during earthworks and excavation
- Prevention of destruction of culturally and spiritually significant sites
- Compliance with Resource Management Act and Pouhere Taonga Act requirements
- Education of construction personnel on site history and cultural protocols
Design Development Process
The project name “Te Aka” was gifted through a co-design process involving wānanga hosted by Mana Whenua partners in marae across Ahuriri. Boffa Miskell serves as Landscape Architecture lead, responsible for site planning, context integration, and external space design.
Cultural Design Principles
Rūaumoko: Expresses the 1931 earthquake uplift story and natural topography transition from shingle spit to former estuary
Te Ngāhere o Tangaroa: Represents the raised sea floor ecosystems – coastal edge (exposed, salt-laden winds) and sheltered lagoon environment
Wai: Makes visible the water cycle and interconnections between land, sea, and sky through different water forms:
- Te Wai-a-Rangi (sky waters)
- Te Wai-a-Nuku (earth waters)
- Wai-tai (Pacific Ocean saline waters)
- Wai-ora (lagoon living waters)
Te Aka: Creates spaces for community gathering, learning, storytelling, and connection
Stakeholder Relationships
Primary Partners
- Napier City Council: Project owner and funding entity
- Mana Ahuriri: Cultural partner and monitoring oversight
- Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust: Cultural guidance and induction delivery
- MCLStead: Construction contractor (MCL Construction and Stead Construction joint venture)
Design and Professional Services
- Boffa Miskell: Landscape Architecture lead and CPTED advice
- The Building Intelligence Group: Project management
- HTK Group: Cultural advisory services
Local Industry Integration
Māori-Owned Businesses
Kahu Scaffolding: 21-person scaffolding company providing edge protection, working platforms, shrink wrap, and cantilevered scaffolding. Company operates under the whakataukī “Te haaro o te kahu ki tuawhakararere” (view the future with the insight of a hawk) and focuses on creating career pathways for rangatahi Māori.
Local Subcontractors
SCL Civil Works: Hawke’s Bay civil construction company handling excavation and ground improvement works with 4-person on-site team including Project Manager Tony McEwan and Site Supervisor Jerry Carter.
Broader Outcomes Framework
MCLStead has committed to delivering outcomes across four categories:
- Cultural Wellbeing: Genuine partnering with Mana Whenua
- Social Wellbeing: Equal opportunities for shared community prosperity
- Economic Wellbeing: Building prosperous, diverse, sustainable economy
- Environmental Wellbeing: Preventing environmental degradation and embedding kaitiakitanga principles
Construction Progress and Methods
Current Activities (August/September 2025)
- Excavation and ground improvement works for Te Aka library building
- Delivery and installation of reinforcing steel cages for concrete foundations
- Preparation of timber plywood formwork for library foundations
- Façade panel removal from office tower for refurbishment
Environmental Controls
- Wheel washers installed (6.6 tonnes, cleans entire chassis in one rotation, wastewater recycled)
- Demolished materials processed by Hastings Demolition for reuse as road aggregate
- Maximum axle load capacity of 16.5 tonnes for construction vehicles
Site Design Features
The completed precinct will include:
- Terraced public spaces for gatherings, reading, and community events
- Laneways connecting to Marine Parade, waterfront, and town center
- Stepped transition from east to west revealing underlying landscape
- Expression of geological transformation from gravel spit to former estuary
- Integrated water systems reflecting cultural water concepts
Project Objectives
Te Aka aims to create a space where visitors and Napier/Ahuriri residents can relax, learn, play, work, engage, and connect. The project is designed to anchor and activate the southern area of Napier City Centre while serving as a community asset that reflects both contemporary needs and cultural values.
Governance and Oversight
The project operates under a partnership model where Mana Ahuriri maintains cultural oversight throughout construction while participating in design decisions. This arrangement goes beyond typical consultation requirements to establish shared responsibility for project outcomes and ongoing cultural integrity.
For more insight into the project see here :
https://www.mclstead.co.nz/post/napier-civic-precinct-project-update-august-2025
https://www.mclstead.co.nz/post/napier-civic-precinct-project-update-july-2025
https://www.boffamiskell.co.nz/projects/te-aka-napier-library-and-civic-area
Civic Precinct | Napier City Council
Ngā mihi.
