How Taranaki Maunga Inspired The New East Stand’s Design

The iconic view of Taranaki Maunga reflected in the
Pouākai Tarns and the flow of rivers from the mountain to
the sea have provided the inspiration for the design
narrative of the new East Stand at Stadium
Taranaki.

This design has
been led by Ngāti Te Whiti, providing an identify for the
stand which has been rebuilt as part of Taranaki Regional
Council’s redevelopment project to create the best regional
stadium in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Kerehama Waru Te Pū
worked on the narrative for five years, collaborating with
members of his hapū who passed on their knowledge of the
area to shape the design with a focus on how the stadium can
bring the whole community together.

New Plymouth-born
Mr Waru Te Pū, a graphic designer who works as a freelance
artist and cultural monitor, says developing the concept to
the completion of the project has been a collaborative
effort involving his hapū, Boon architects, contractors,
TRC and New Plymouth District Council.

“We started
by looking at the location and the history of the area and
what it was used for. Sketches by Frederick Carrington
showed the area was a tributary swamp catchment of the
Huatoki Stream and that link to water and the environment
became the main focus,” says Mr Waru Te
Pū.

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“This was reinforced by working
with Damon Ritai at the hapū and hearing about the history
of the Huatoki and the Poukaka Pa and Maratahu Pa, and a
brief history of the
environment.

“Referencing back to that
focus on water, the main design on the East Stand is of
Taranaki Maunga on the building and the reflection is on the
concourse, reflecting the view of the Maunga from the tarn.
That’s the inspiration for the design.”

Mr Waru Te
Pū says each point in the design represents the different
maunga tipua (different peaks) with the reds in the lower
section representing the Pouākai Range and other peaks.
Whites represent snow, blues are water melted by the sun
(the yellows), reinforcing the connection with water as it
moves from the Maunga to the moana (sea).

“There are
also connections to harakeke or weaving which was a highly
prized thing in Taranaki and that’s part of the history
and environment we’ve focused on.”

The design
narrative continues on the interior of the stand with
windows and doors repeating the patterns on the exterior of
the buildings while the rivers on the walls of level one
have been directly sketched from Carrington’s original
drawings of rivers and streams in the area.

“I hope that
someday this design narrative can extend to other parts of
the stadium,” added Mr Waru Te Pū.

Ngāti Te Whiti
Chairman Shelton Healey says: “It has been a privilege for
Ngāti Te Whiti to help shape the design and identity of the
new East Stand. It’s a reflection of our whenua, our
waters, and our stories. We see this as a modern expression
of our history and look forward to our narrative continuing
to flow through future developments not only at the stadium,
but throughout Ngāmotu New Plymouth”

TRC Chair Craig
Williamson thanked Ngāti Te Whiti for their extensive mahi
and praised Mr Waru Te Pū’s design for giving the East
Stand a strong identity.

“The completed East Stand
is an outstanding facility for the people of Taranaki and
the vital contribution Ngāti Te Whiti has made has
absolutely enhanced the completed stadium,” says Mr
Williamson.

“Using the view of the Maunga reflected
in the Pouākai Tarns was an inspired choice and really
makes the stand unique to our region and our amazing
environment.

“We’re extremely grateful to Ngāti
Te Whiti for their continued support and we believe working
together on this project has strengthened our ties with the
hapū.”

Stadium Taranaki: Fast
facts

• The stadium is owned by Taranaki Regional
  Council via the Taranaki Stadium Trust.
• It is run by
  New Plymouth District Council.
• The final budget for
  the redevelopment of the stadium was $79.7m, with the final
  cost of the project expected to be under this.
• The
  total contribution by Taranaki ratepayers remains under
  $50m, the same amount approved in 2019 after the public
  consultation and engagement process.
• TRC secured
  $30m in funding from the Government’s Infrastructure
  Reference Group Fund.
• The development included
  earthquake-strengthening the West Stand and the addition of
  a new roof on this stand.
• The original East Stand
  could not be repaired so was demolished and a new stand has
  been constructed.
• The steel piles in some areas go
  as deep as 30 metres into the ground.
• It has been
  built by New Plymouth-based Clelands Construction as the
  main contractors and a significant number of local skilled
  sub-contractors.
• The facility has hospitality
  facilities and there’s more space for conferences and
  trade shows.
• There are improved changing facilities
  for teams and match
  officials.

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