How A 700 Year Old Waka Influenced The Design Of A Golden Bay Port Office In 2025
Jason Mann Photography
If you’re local to the area, you might have noticed that Port Tarakohe has a nice new office. Situated facing north towards the marina, it’s modern but sleek design harmonises with the landscape. Nestled below limestone cliffs – it looks at home. And home it is to many port users on the daily.
BPM was engaged by Tasman District Council as part of their Port Tarakohe Structure Plan, with Motueka local PM Dan Roberts acting as Engineer to the Contract and Project Manager.
Representing a deep connection between whenua (land) and moana (sea) – this hybrid office & amenities space has connections and influences steeped in more local history than you might think.
Kia kōtahi te waihoe o te waka, kia ū te uta
Let the paddling of the canoe be as one, so that we may reach the shore
This well known whakatauki emphases teamwork and shared purpose and we reckon these qualities were well represented from start to finish.
Tēnei te mihi nui ki Manawhenua ki Mohua (MKM) me Robin Slow hoki for his contributions to this blog, the design, and his sharing of a wonderful and important historical story - along with the mauri stone and the blessings both before construction and when the building opened.
History Resurfaced & Tracing Ancestral Journeys
In 2012 on Golden Bay’s remote west coast, one family - out on a picnic - didn’t know they were about to happen upon one of Aotearoa's most profound archaeological finds and Māori taonga. The Anaweka waka. A waka (canoe) built by early Polynesian navigators thought to have settled in Aotearoa New Zealand around AD 1250 – according to carbon dating.
It’s one of only two known ocean waka discovered in Aotearoa that are of Polynesian influence. The historical waka, made of mataī which is native to Aotearoa, is not only rare, but provides exciting insights into the past of early Māori seafaring, construction & design. The discovery - a six-metre section of this historical double-hulled ocean waka - featured a significant carving that withstood not only the test of time - but the elements, resurfacing in the modern day to tell its story. The story of a honu (turtle) carved more than 700 years ago, that made its way to New Zealand shores by celestial navigators – a honu that’s still inspiring artists in the present day.
Golden Bay local and artist Robin Slow is one of them.
Robin Slow is a celebrated Māori artist whose work is deeply rooted in storytelling and cultural tradition. He was central to elements in Port Tarakhoe’s design which strongly incorporated the theme of the Anaweka waka and, the famed honu.
Robin’s work embodies Māori narratives, combining storytelling and symbolism – and he sees mahi toi (Māori arts) as a holistic practice – in a marriage of karakia, waiata, music, raranga, and motif. PM and Engineer to Contract, Dan Roberts says of Robin:
“He has his own connection and fascination with the Anaweka Waka. When Robin brought the honu idea through, then talked about the link to the Anaweka, I became fascinated with the story. It’s so clever how the honu and other features such as the external screen representing a contemporary version of a pa tūwatawata (fortified stockade), acknowledge what is both an important landing site historically for māori, and a modern day voyaging and commercial hub.”
We asked Robin to kōrero with us about the significance of storytelling through a lens of remembering those who came before us - so we could be here sharing what we’ve learned, he said:
“The pūrākau hold and explain a view based on histories, and understandings that combined bring the past into the present. They give a relevance and place to stand.”
And speaking to his process of bringing the honu and Anaweka waka into the build, Robin added:
“The build in itself acts as a marker within the larger area, a stopping off point, and a refresher for continued travels. The honu acts as a motif and binder that brings this together. It reminds us of not only where we have come from but where we are in the present leading to the future.
Further pūrākau in the design, line the windows and entrance ways relating to the moana, each aspect holding narratives that relate to the form and placement of the whare.“
Robin, alongside Manawhenua Ki Mohua were integral in incorporating local narratives into Port Tarakohe’s design, continuing the tradition of storytelling and giving the honu a new incarnation, woven through the motif that now sits proudly in the facade of Port Tarakohe’s new office & amenities building.
Jason Mann Photography
In fact - the entire architectural process of bringing the Port Tarakohe & amenities building to life was deeply intentional - with as much meaning as it had purpose and functionality. Standout features also include the palisade-inspired screens referencing historic Māori pā defensive structures. Reflecting the rich heritage of the area, this building honours the importance of the area to tangata whenua, while also providing a valuable asset for the wider hapori (community).
Jason Mann Photography
Jason Mann Photography
Port Tarakohe carries deep historical weight. The site holds strong cultural importance for Māori, who have cultivated and lived in the area for generations, and is recognised as the location of the first recorded encounter between Māori and Abel Tasman in 1642. From 1908 to 1988, it was the operational base of the Golden Bay Cement Company, helping drive the local economy through early industrialisation. Today, the port continues its legacy as a vital marine hub supporting fishing, rock barging, and aquaculture.
Steering The Project In The Right Direction
Tasman District Council required new facilities to support both staff and port users as part of the wider Port Tarakohe upgrade. While the broader programme focuses on a new wharf and additional berths, this phase centred on delivering a building that could:
Respect and reflect the cultural and historical significance of the site to local iwi and the wider community.
Provide offices, meeting rooms, and amenities for TDC port staff.
Offer shared facilities for commercial and recreational users, including a lounge, kitchenette, laundry, and other amenities.
Incorporate durable, sustainable materials suited to the harsh marine environment.
Jason Mann Photography
Speaking to the project and approach – Dan says:
“This project’s success is entirely due to the team involved. TDC provided strong client-side leadership and direction, while Coman (main contractor) and JTB (architect) led the design and construction with a finish that speaks for itself. Their clear communication and collaborative approach brought the design to life smoothly. The design collaboration with iwi was marked by a level of communication between TDC and mana whenua that should be standard on every project but too often isn’t, and this ensured there were no surprises and the final product was well received by all.”
The build was not without its technical challenges either - the absence of a reticulated wastewater network was one such issue. This required a dedicated on-site holding tank and a long pipeline connection to the nearest Council pump station located several hundred metres away.
Geotechnical conditions also posed complexities. The site sits on reclaimed land close to the ocean, with fill classified as uncontrolled - a variable mix of materials. To manage this, a gravel raft foundation was selected to reduce differential settlement by distributing building loads across the inconsistent ground conditions.
Lateral spread risk in a major seismic event was another critical consideration due to the loose, potentially liquefiable soils. To mitigate this, the building was set back a minimum of 15 metres from the shoreline on all sides. While this introduced spatial and operational planning challenges, the final layout successfully supports efficient port operations while meeting all seismic and geotechnical requirements.
We’re so proud of this design & build for Tasman District Council, and it’s a true demonstration of teamwork making the dream work. The partnerships created during the project ensured that cultural narratives were authentically embedded within the design and it stands in a striking harmonious connection to the natural environment surrounding the port, and supports the local stories and identity that made Port Tarakohe the thriving hub it is today.
Reflection, Celebration And Function
Storytelling is a powerful medium that can be woven through words, art, design and tikanga. Port Tarakohe’s new office & amenities building is a solid reflection of 700 years of storytelling, a celebration of the rich tapestry of the region, and it’s taonga - coming together to serve the community in a functional modern build. That’s pretty special.
Reflecting on the project, and the essential components that went into ensuring the authenticity, sincerity and meaningful storytelling of this hub central to the region, Dan says:
“We were just so lucky and privileged to have access to the pūkenga (skills) and the mātauranga (knowledge) of Robin. His knowledge of the area, ability to tell a story, design skill and ability to collaborate with JTB (the architects) has told a wonderful story. Thanks also to JTB for their ability to both collaborate and provide some skilled architecture in the process.”
According to One news you’ll be able to visit the Anaweka waka in person later this year: They say the three local iwi that make up Manawhenua ki Mohua – Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Rārua, and Ngāti Tama – and Ngāti Kuia discussed options before eventually landing on their preferred approach of housing the Anaweka waka in it’s own wharewaka constructed adjacent to the Golden Bay Museum on the corner of Commercial and Reilly Streets. We look forward to hearing more on that!