Year: 2017-18
Status: Completed
Client: Te Rewarewa {The Proprietors of Rewarewa D}
Location: Raumanga, Whangārei
Type: Masterplanning
Discipline: Land use planning, project feasibility

Te Rewarewa, a 64ha Māori land block within the central Whangārei area, has recently undertaken the development of a long-term land use and development plan. Te Rewarewa is the largest Māori land block within the central Whangarei area and has the potential to become a focal point for regional economic development, a driver of future urbanisation and growth within the Whangarei C.B.D., and a model for the re-establishment of Kāinga as the primary social and economic unit in Te Taitokerau.

The principal objective of the land use planning project was to identify potential land uses for Te Rewarewa based on the values and aspirations of the shareholders and the capacity of the land, and to identify stage one projects based cost/benefit analysis and current or projected resources. The mapping component included cultural and sites of significance, land use capability, regulatory and infrastructure.

With this information, the whenua has been divided into three land use zones: zone 1 at the Rewarewa / Kioreroa Rd end has been designated for commercial and light industrial uses. Zone 2, which is the largest area of the block, has been designated for rural production and conservation. Zones 3, on the harbour side of the block, has been set aside for cultural and social uses, including marae and papakāinga. For each potential land use, pre-feasibility studies have been completed to investigate the viability of each option.

The final output for this project is Te Mahere Whenua Mātua o Te Rewarewa, an overall land use plan for Te Rewarewa that integrates a variety of social, cultural, economic and environmental land uses, articulated through a ten-year staged masterplan, and a 100-year speculative vision. Te Rewarewa is the largest Māori land block within the central Whangārei area and has the potential to become a focal point for regional economic development, a driver of future urbanisation and growth within the Whangārei C.B.D., and a model for other integrated land use developments.

Given the long-term nature of the plan, it was envisioned from the outset that the plan would be a taonga for Te Rewarewa shareholders and will guide the development activities of the Committee of Management over the coming years. By undertaking a collaborative process, this project produced a long-term vision for the future of the whenua, co-created and endorsement by shareholders.

Since its 2018 publication, numerous development opportunities have arisen, both through the proactive activities of the Committee of Management and their kaimahi, and through the support of external stakeholders (including Whangārei District Council and Te Puni Kōkiri). These external stakeholders, through the plan have been able to connect Te Rewarewa with relevant funding and partnership opportunities.