Waiaroha
Heretaunga Water Discovery Centre
Heretaunga, Hastings, NZ
Location | Hastings CBD, Heretaunga, Hawke’s Bay, NZ |
Collaborators | DGSE, Wayfinder, Gemco, Charles Paringatai, iwi advisor and arts teams, Scott Parker, Emily Fletcher, Jen Craddock, Yasmine El Orfi, M-Digital and Head and Tail, National Park, Rearea, Ian Anderson Design, Toulouse, DAC, Kauwaka, Dr Amelia McQueen, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and GNS Science team members. |
Role | Visitor experience planning, design, production |
Year | 2023 |
Client | Te Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Heretaunga - Hastings District Council |
Wai - our most precious taonga
We interact with water every day. Turn on the tap and out it comes, flush the loo and off it goes. But where does it come from? Where does it go? And how do our actions impact its health? Much of Heretaunga’s water is stored deep underground in a vast aquifer system. It is out of sight and largely out of mind. With challenges of water pollution, scarcity and climate change we need water to be at the forefront of public consciousness. For this ground breaking project, a fully operational drinking water treatment plant is sited in a landscaped urban oasis, along with a modern whare ako learning centre. As well as revealing the hidden world of water to the public, this project is a catalyst for awareness that we need water and that it needs us. Together, we can all do things to care for our most precious taonga.
Ko wai tātau - we are water
Waiaroha Heretaunga Discovery centre is an exciting hands-on journey through the water cycle from maunga (mountains) to moana (sea). Designed for local learners and independent visitors, visitors witness how water moves through nature and learn about how they are part of the water cycle. The project blends matauranga Māori and science communication, revealing the wonders of the natural world and how water is a taonga and a living system that we’re all part of.
Stitchbird - weaving magic
Responding to the tragedy of the Havelock North drinking water contamination event, the need for new infrastructure and better public awareness, HDC boldly sited Waiaroha in the CBD and invited the public in. Working with the Council, iwi advisors, architectural and landscape design teams, a team of experience designers, and content and learning experts, Stitchbird transformed the site into a hands-on discovery centre and spatial narrative. Our engagement started with community consultation, a visitor experience plan setting out the recommended approach, and an operating model. We implemented brand and communications strategy and delivered the full visitor experience design package from storytelling signage, play equipment and sculptures, to animations, digital games, website and learning resources. We worked with local Maori artists and storytellers to integrate carved, mixed-media and woven arts throughout the site.
I uta ki tai - from the mountains to the sea
Outdoors, the tranquil environment simulates the Heretaunga water journey and is open 24/7 as a public park. Visitors are invited to follow the colourful signs and touch, turn and lift to learn about the water cycle. They meet atua and creatures, and get to know environments and ecosystems. They pump, spray and twist at hands-on water stations while looking inside the water treatment plant along the way. Visitors can sit and rest under the cloud canopy, listen to sounds of nature or interact with water features.
Te whare Waiaroha visitor centre
Nau mai, ka whakatōmene ai – come on in to Te Whare waiaroha where you can play games, watch films or snuggle up with a book. Discover the atua of Heretaunga waters through carved and woven arts, and large-scale graphics wrapping the space. Visitors move between digital and tactile game tables, explore immersive infographics and have their say. The space can be reconfigured to cater to different user needs; from a permanent display space to a classroom or space for hire. The website is the front door that enables educators to access the learning programme and resources.
