Description:

The Whangārei Māori Land Court, located in the Rathbone Business Centre is one of nine regional courtrooms of its kind throughout Aotearoa. Part of the Ministry of Justice, it provides a judicial forum for decisions relating to Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 – which recognises the significance of Māori land as a place (taonga tuku iho) of special significance to the Māori people.

While the Court is primarily a place where matters relating to current and future Māori land use are addressed, it also plays a vital role in its community by providing people of the land (tangata whenua) with access to ancestry records.

Following a decision to relocate the Whangārei Court to new premises, the Ministry of Justice selected GHD to deliver the design of the new facility through an invited tender process. The project’s scope included the Court’s ground floor lobby, record storage area and research facilities, as well as the courtrooms located on the first floor.

The Ministry of Justice’s brief communicated a strong desire for the design team to create a place which would feel welcoming, calm, and respectful of the cultural importance of the Court. Project stakeholders wanted a set of design principles founded on intrinsic Māori cultural values (Te Aranga) incorporated within the design.

Drawing on previous experience in Māori Land Court design in other regions, the team’s architectural response centred on the principles of;

• Mahi Toi – significant sites and cultural landmarks (Mana Whenua) are acknowledged,
• Ahi Kā – local tribes (iwi/hapu) have a living and enduring presence and are secure and valued within their region (rohe),
• Tohu – local tribal (iwi/hapu) narratives are captured and expressed creatively and appropriately, and Whakapapa – Māori names are celebrated.

According to the designer, the Corian used on the public counter was chosen for its robustness, durability, ability to create seamless joints, aesthetic and colouring.

To bring these concepts to life, careful consideration was given to the use of natively harvested and sustainable materials and finishes that had a local context or identity or represented traditional items such as woven baskets (kete). Corian Neutral Aggregate was a versatile colour that complemented well the native products used on walls, ceilings, and furniture.

Corian Glacier White was also used on the bathroom vanities