Kāhui Whetū
B.Hort., Dip LA, LMNZILA
B.Hort., Dip LA, LMNZILA
Alan Titchener
- e
- c Alan Titchener Landscape Architect
- region Tāmaki Makaurau
Discipline and Expertise:
Available for work:
One aho on its own has some strength, but weave it together with a whole lot of other ones, different colours, different textures, and further differences. In combination, it makes for a strength that's much more resilient and will stand the test of time, providing enrichment and sustenance.
A part of my vision is for both my own iwi and for Aotearoa to enjoy recognition of the mana that we are entitled to. To be able to exercise our rights and responsibilities wisely and effectively, in keeping with tikanga and kōrero tuku iho. I am part of the Ngā Aho movement, supporting and contributing to kaupapa Māori design and influence in Aotearoa. It occurred to all of us that if we could work together, we could make a difference. Forging a strategy for ensuring that Māori values were recognised, acknowledged and influenced the world we live in.
Many aspects of this for me involve exploring kaupapa Māori design (in particular design relating to people and whenua). To work collectively with others committed to the same kaupapa. This includes providing (and receiving) support, validating and
empowering mana whenua, exploring and researching Mātauranga Māori in relation to kaupapa Māori design.
We have a saying, every whakaaro has mana. Mana is conferred, not claimed. Through correctly observing tikanga and acting responsibly and wisely, then mana is maintained. This is how I approach my design practice. I am involved in a mix of things. These include community building, consulting on landscape matters and kaupapa Māori design. I’m a previous Chairperson member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel. I’m involved in part-time lecturing, serving as an external examiner for university ākonga, acting as a mentor and supporter for younger members of the profession, and supporting the kaupapa of Ngā Aho and Te Tau-a-Nuku (Māori landscape architects collective).
Some of the most rewarding design project/s for me so far are a number of School projects (mostly in Heretaunga), including Te Aute College, Pukehou School, Poukawa School. Many others are the Cobham Place housing project (Hastings),
Otatara Pa restoration project (Ahuriri), Te Kohatu o Hatupatu (Atiamuri). A number of marae projects, including Pukehou Marae, Te Aranga (Flaxmere), Te Motu o Poutoa (Papaioea) and Te Maharatanga o Ngā Wai (Tāmaki).
But perhaps my most rewarding project to date has been my recent involvement as joint author of Te Tangi a te Manu (Aotearoa New Zealand Landscape Assessment Guidelines).
Many aspects of this for me involve exploring kaupapa Māori design (in particular design relating to people and whenua). To work collectively with others committed to the same kaupapa. This includes providing (and receiving) support, validating and
empowering mana whenua, exploring and researching Mātauranga Māori in relation to kaupapa Māori design.
We have a saying, every whakaaro has mana. Mana is conferred, not claimed. Through correctly observing tikanga and acting responsibly and wisely, then mana is maintained. This is how I approach my design practice. I am involved in a mix of things. These include community building, consulting on landscape matters and kaupapa Māori design. I’m a previous Chairperson member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel. I’m involved in part-time lecturing, serving as an external examiner for university ākonga, acting as a mentor and supporter for younger members of the profession, and supporting the kaupapa of Ngā Aho and Te Tau-a-Nuku (Māori landscape architects collective).
Some of the most rewarding design project/s for me so far are a number of School projects (mostly in Heretaunga), including Te Aute College, Pukehou School, Poukawa School. Many others are the Cobham Place housing project (Hastings),
Otatara Pa restoration project (Ahuriri), Te Kohatu o Hatupatu (Atiamuri). A number of marae projects, including Pukehou Marae, Te Aranga (Flaxmere), Te Motu o Poutoa (Papaioea) and Te Maharatanga o Ngā Wai (Tāmaki).
But perhaps my most rewarding project to date has been my recent involvement as joint author of Te Tangi a te Manu (Aotearoa New Zealand Landscape Assessment Guidelines).