Ethical Responsibilities

In my design proposal of the tea walk experience, I have carefully considered the impact of my design on the environment, community, people, and Maori culture. Every aspect of my design was decided based on what good it would do to the community.

Te Aranga Principles

“Core Māori values have informed the development of earlier Māori design principles. These process-oriented principles have provided the foundation for, and underpin the application of, the outcome-oriented Te Aranga Māori Design Principles” – Auckland Design Manual

The Principles seek to foster and guide both culturally appropriate design processes and design responses that enhance all of our appreciation of the natural landscape and built environment and which place Mana Whenua as the heart of both.

The principles incorporated and considered in my design:

Manaakitanga – In my ‘Native Remedies’ spatial tea walk, I have made the design decision to raise the path by creating a board walk all at the same level as the entrance. By removing the stairs and bumpy gravel path I have made the walk easy for all to visit. I prioritised the Te Arana principle Manaakitanga which is the ethic of holistic hospitality whereby Mana Whenua have inherited obligations to be the best hosts they can be. This means through my design I have incorporated aroha, hospitality, generosity and mutual respect for all visitors. By raising the path it means everyone of all ages and abilities can experience the walk with ease- all are welcome and respected to share Rongoa Maori together.

Kaitiakitanga – the principle whereby the environment is managed and conserved as part of a reciprocal relationship, based on the Māori world view that humans are part of the natural world. This has been considered in my design in multiple ways/ The first is using sustainably sourced and/or recycled materials which will have little impact to the environment. The second is using my tea walk as a way to fundraise to give back to the fernery and the plants growing within it. A gold coin donation can be made to receive a cup of tea. The tea cups are all a collection of found mugs and travel cups which is used to serve the tea. No cup is the same and all of them are re-used. In addition, I am promoting this event where people can bring their own re-usable cups and wont have to make a donation unless they choose to. Another aspect of my design which respects this principle includes the source of these teas. The five native tea plants will be planets sporadically throughout the fernery and will be the source of the dried teas used to give visitors. This aspect takes form of the Maori value where our food source is from the land as we are all connected.

Kotahitanga – the principle of unity of purpose and direction. It is demonstrated through the achievement of harmony and moving as one. It means unity, cohesion and collaboration. This principle is embodied throughout my design as the central hut brings the community together through shared experience (incorporating whanaungatanga). The walk promotes the aspect of moving as one from the same start and finishing point, and giving people the change to communicate, collaborate, connect and share experiences from all walks of life. The purpose and direction within my design drive visitors to share their experience with those around them. This principle is also incorportaed through the collaboration of Maori people involved in the design process to demand appropriate Maori incoprotation and knowledge within the design. Aspects of Maori culture and practices in the design would be approved for every aspect of design and working alongside indigenous people of Aotearoa so there is no false information, offense or inappropriate elements.

References

tp://www.aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/design-subjects/maori-design/te_aranga_principles#/design-subjects/maori-design/te_aranga_principles/guidance/about/core_m%C4%81ori_values