Navigate Tairāwhiti is a programme of 5 projects delivered together with tangata whenua and partner organisations. The programme weaves together significant sites through storytelling and design to showcase our region's unique culture and heritage of first arrivals and great navigators.
Both public and privately-owned spaces are upgraded to include stories and elements to reflect the exceptional navigational feats of the first iwi who arrived and James Cook who arrived in 1769.
The 5 projects in the programme include:
- Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing Site
1000-year Walkway Bridge and Cook Landing Site and Te Maro sculpture - completed. - Titirangi maunga - completed
- Tupapa – historical interpretations - completed
- Inner harbour upgrade - completed
- Te Panuku Tu - Titirangi summit
1000-year walkway bridge
Finishing work on the bridge is underway and expected to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting:
- the final cultural elements are being installed - the puhoro (spiral designs) and rauawa (boards fixed to the sides of the waka form) are integral parts of the waka.
- while contractors are working - expect delays on Kaiti Beach Road - stop/go Monday - Friday 9am to 2pm, Saturday and Sunday 7am - 3pm.
- Council's funding for the final design elements - less than $100k to complete the installation.
- Ngāti Oneone will confirm a date for the official opening of the waka bridge.
Read the latest media release - 2 October
About the project
The project started as an upgrade of the existing Cook Landing Site and connecting paths as part of the Navigate Tairāwhiti programme.
The 1000-Year Bridge is part of Navigate Tairāwhiti, which strengthens our regional identity, celebrates our dual heritage, and creates opportunities for storytelling, tourism and education.
The pedestrian bridge is set 6.3m above Kaiti Beach Road styled in a 'waka haumi' or boat prow design connecting Puhi Kai Iti / Cook Landing Site to the Ruatanuika Lookout and Te Maro sculpture.
As you walk along the footbridge, the story of how our region evolved will be told to take you back across the last 1000 years with stories of our region's first arrivals and great navigators.
It’s also important to bring the cone of vision back to this historical site so Te Kuri a Paoa/Young Nicks Head can be seen. The memorial Puhi Kai Iti used to have a view of Turanganui-a-Kiwa and Te Kuri a Paoa. However, over the past 100 years buildings have blocked that view.
The bridge will link with tracks on the maunga to walkways around the inner harbour that connect to walkways and cycleways to Wainui, Kiwa Pools and the city beaches.
Project funding
- Lotteries Grant of $3.1 million - $2.68 million for the bridge and $389,000 for the Te Maro platform
- Trust Tairāwhiti grant of $343,000.
- Council - less than $100k to complete installation.
The project had previously been delayed by interruptions including Covid-19 and the cyclones in 2023. Design, consenting and community engagement were completed for the bridge in 2019.
1000-year walkway bridge build and installation
Te Panuku Tū - Titirangi summit redevelopment
Council working in partnership with Ngāti Oneone proposed to build a space for cultural and educational activities. The project was to restore the top of Tītīrangi - Te Panuku Tū was first mooted by Ngati Oneone and started with the removal of the Captain Cook statue and the observatory.
Council has withdrawn it’s application for Te Panuku Tū due to lack of funding, the project is now not proceeding.
Completed projects
We’ve completed the landing site of the tipuna Maia.
The structure includes steel tukutuku panels, lighting and landscaping.
Construction began in January 2019 and was completed in time for the October Tuia 250 commemorations.
The project also included the installation of the 10x10m art piece across the landing site to acknowledge Te Maro, an Ngāti Oneone tipuna.
This project was a partnership between Gisborne District Council, Ngāti Oneone, and the Department of Conservation.
In partnership with Eastland Port we’ve transformed our waterfront to become a natural visitor destination and hospitality precinct.
Work included enhancements to new and upgraded parking, new public convenience, green spaces with landscaping, improved lighting and pedestrian and cycle-friendly connections.
Cultural elements are woven throughout the space to make it a destination where people can experience and reflect our navigational heritage.
The word ‘Tupapa’ describes the place where iwi share their stories, of iwi arrival and settlement and great navigators that have been passed down about the first people to navigate to and inhabit this place.
Developed by a partnership of the 4 Turanga iwi, people can take self-guided walks that connects sites from Waikanae Beach to Cook Landing Site and Titirangi maunga. For more information about the heritage trail, see the Tupapa website
The restoration phase of our sacred maunga, as part of the Navigate Tairāwhiti programme is complete.
Through the Whaia Titirangi programme we’ve focused heavily on weed management and re-establishing the natural look of the maunga through native restoration.
This programme a collaborative effort between Ngāti Oneone and Council, has been running for 3 years with a primary focus on community engagement and conservation education that will enhance our kaitiakitanga.
Work will continue through the co-management agreement with Ngāti Oneone’s vision for Titirangi to Tuamotu Island. This is funded mostly by iwi, with Council support and currently focused on wider areas of Titirangi maunga.