Pito-one : a journey of cultural revitalisation between people and their place - Nicole Keenan

Pito-one (Petone) is a major suburb of the Hutt City in New Zealand. It is located at the southern end of the narrow triangular plain of Te Awa Kairangi (the Hutt River), on the northern shore of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington Harbour). Vision To create a place of resilience where the genius loci can be experienced through all senses, identifying with everyone who uses the whenua (land). Strong connections between people, water and land will be formed creating a revitalised cultural heart for the entire Hutt City. Design Objectives: • To use aesthetic and well-connected public space promoting community spirit. • To bring the community together by creating a cultural ‘heart’ of Pito-one village. • To activate connections with Te Awa Kairangi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara and the surrounding hills. • To promote resilience with earthquake, tsunami and flood damage prevention and education. • To celebrate and preserve heritage and cultural values of Maori and European Settlers. • To improve ecology by creating green networks and linking them to existing blue networks, and incorporating this with walking and cycle ways promoting sustainability. • To form a sense of arrival by creating a kind of gateway for people entering the site.