Embedding stories of mana whenua in post-quake Christchurch
Landscape architect Debbie Tikao is the General Manager of Matapopore Charitable Trust, which was established after the Christchurch earthquakes.
Over the past eight years she has worked closely with local and central government to ensure post-earthquake Christchurch embeds the values and stories of Mana Whenua and emerges as a 21st century city rich with meaning and character that expresses our dual histories and treaty partnership.
Tikao is also a panellist on the Christchurch City Council Urban Design panel and manager of te Taiao Portfolio for Ōnuku Rūnanga. She spoke with Landscape Architecture Aotearoa about her role.
Debbie Tikao facilitating a discussion on Regenerative Design at a Christchurch Conversations Event.
LAA: What appealed to you about landscape architecture as a profession?
DT: I discovered landscape architecture through landscape design. I was working towards a diploma in landscape design at Unitec while the degree was being developed by the same lecturers that were teaching us. Through them I learnt how landscape architecture can contribute to shaping who we are and how we live. It was the social dimension of landscape architecture that inspired me the most. Landscape design appealed to me for two reasons, it combined my love of both art and gardening and I’d seen first hand how transformative good design can be. My father and step mum had engaged a landscape designer to develop a plan for their small narrow section. He designed a terraced garden with a series of stunning magical spaces. So this, I decided, was what I wanted to do, make magical places for people to live in.
LAA: Who were your early influences?
DT: The lecturers at Unitec where my greatest influences. They opened my mind to the complexities of our modern world and the many challenges we face. One of the elective courses I took was environmental engineering. It was taught by a deep ecologist. The philosophy of deep ecology resonated with me, made a lot of sense, and to this day it underpins much of my thinking and approach to design.
The Matapopore team at the Na Te Kore – International Indigenous Design Forum 2018 where they took everyone on a walking tour of the central city.
LAA: You're general manager at Matapopore Charitable Trust - what does that involve?
DT: Matapopore was established by Ngāi Tūāhuriri to ensure the objectives and aspirations identified within the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Plan were delivered on. That aspiration being to have the narratives and values of Mana Whenua embedded within the fabric of the new emerging city. My role within this has been diverse. Primarily I ensure that the activities of Matapopore meet the purpose of the trust deed, and of course that we deliver on the aspirations of Ngāi Tūāhuriri. I’ve spent much of the past several years working closely with our trustees, Ngāi Tahu artists, central and local government to achieve this. We’ve written our own urban design guidelines and developed a unique design methodology to assist the process of bringing to life Ngāi Tūāhuriri traditions and values within a contemporary context.
LAA: How does landscape architecture influence the way you carry out your work?
DT: Being a built environment expert has absolutely been beneficial for this work. From the development of our guiding documents, design methodologies through to the interpretation of Māori concepts into built outcomes. To know how things are built, and what is possible in the realm of possibilities has been invaluable when you’re testing new ground and pushing for better, more meaningful outcomes.
At the blessing of Ngā Whāriki Manaaki - Woven Mats of Welcome along the promenade of the Ōtākaro.
LAA: What are you most proud of as far as achievements of the trust go?
DT: Influencing the character of Christchurch city. It is less the garden city, and more the city of stories. The Ngāi Tūāhuriri narratives, values the many cultural concepts we’ve drawn upon are expressed spatially, ecologically, architecturally and through both traditional and contemporary toi Māori forms. Within all of the above there are many layers of information that can help guide us to develop a deeper level of connection and respect for the whenua and each other. It is also about identity. One of the main aspirations of Ngāi Tūāhuriri was to see themselves in the City of Christchurch which for so long only represented the values and aesthetics of one culture.
LAA: What's in your 10 year plan?
DT: 2022 is an exciting year of change, my family and I have moved back to Tāmaki Makaurau where I’ll be doing a master in Urban Design at Auckland University. This will be done part time as work with Matapopore and Ōnuku Rūnanga will continue. Along with studying urban design, I also want to continue to grow my understanding to te ao Māori and to apply this to the exploration of innovative ways of living that are centred on whanau, whenua and resilience.