Overview

Colonisation has shaped the form of New Zealand towns and cities in ways that mean that Māori identities and values have often been side-lined.   Yet, our cities have always been indigenous places, and we’re interested in how urban environments could better reflect this.

 

This competition encourages people to think about how we might ‘decolonise’ cities in Aotearoa New Zealand.  There are two sites in Porirua City – the harbour front and whānau land for a papakāinga – that people are invited to redesign. We want people from all walks of life, backgrounds, ages and cultural groups to get involved. Creative, positive and forward-looking solutions can come from anywhere and anyone who might engage with these issues.  We welcome a wide range of submission types including masterplans, drawings, essays, poetry and film.

   

There are a number of ways you might think about this.  You might think about decolonisation as being about social justice – an opportunity to create cities which are fair and equitable for all whānau.  You might consider the special role that mana whenua (the tribal group who has historic connections with a particular place) plays in the city.  You might consider how New Zealand might look and feel had Māori values always been an integral part of the way we design our cities.  You may look to the future and develop a utopian vision for how our cities might look and feel in 50 years from now.  You may have other ways of thinking about it. All ideas are welcome.

   

The entries submitted will be judged by a panel of experts from a diverse range of backgrounds.  Entries will also be analysed by our research team to understand how we might work to decolonise urban places.