Major remake of Parihaka look out

A new ramp with palisade-like edges is being built at the summit of Parihaka to channel viewers to a new lookout over Whangarei.

“This is an important place, but the old lookout hasn’t reflected that in a way that respects its mana. By working with the District’s hapu, we have achieved a design that will include a special kohatu (rock), which will inspire a sense of gravity and significance to the lookout,” said Senior Landscape Architect Bruno Gilmour.

As well as the kohatu, which will be installed once the look out has been completed, historical panels will explain the significance of the area, and a panorama will name the landmarks in front of the viewers.

“This lookout will do justice to this historic place overlooking the city and many of the District's landmarks,” he said.

“Quite often we refer to 'sense of place' when we are doing these kinds of works, but there is another landscape architecture term that captures the concept well, and that is Genius Loci. It refers to the guardian spirit of a place, or its special, unique atmosphere. Our aim is for the work we do, in partnership with others, to honour and enhance that quality for the people long associated with it, for visitors and for the environment itself.

“During the next month or so fences will be erected around the existing lookout. We will be cutting the old structure off its foundations and air-lifting them away. Over the winter the new structure will be built on the western side of the original footprint. Then, a much larger, hexagonal platform will extend out over the bush.

“It has been a long road to this point, and not all of the details have been finalised, but it has been an honour to work with the many hapu associated with Parihaka, to find a design that is worthy of the site.”

Mr Gilmour said more would be told about the kohatu after it has been unveiled.

“We need to do things respectfully and in the right order.”

Public access to the existing war memorial will not be affected by the work. Some tracks will not be able to exit near the lookout for a while. Signs will be erected to inform runners and walkers.

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