He Whenua, He Tangata | People and Place

Waka Kotahi recognises and respects Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to upholding the principles of partnership, participation and protection. These underpin the relationship between tangata whenua and government. Waka Kotahi will work with tangata whenua to build strong, meaningful and enduring partnerships.

Te Ara Kotahi (our Māori Strategy) provides strategic direction to Waka Kotahi on how we work with and respond to Māori as the Crown’s Treaty partner, and what this means for how we do business.

At its foundation the Aotearoa urban street planning and design guide establishes an ethos of ‘He Whenua, He Tāngata’ – reflecting the shared relationship between land, people and place. This is given effect through a suite of protocols that bring together the wider objectives of a safe system, inclusive access, environment, movement and place.

Te Ara Kotahi – our Māori Strategy

He Whenua, He Tangata design principles

Six objectives give effect to He Whenua, He Tangata in street design:

1. Mahi tahi - partnership and engagement
2. He whenua ora – a living environment
3. Taonga tuku iho – places of value and meaning
4. Tātou tātou – inclusivity for everyone
5. Toiora – healthy and safe environments
6. Mauri ora – prosperity and vitality

The table below illustrates the connection between He Whenua, He Tangata, the six objectives, and global street design guide principles. This concept creates an Aotearoa focus and supplements recognised international good practice.

Design principles - view larger image [JPG, 4 MB] 

As the Aotearoa Urban Street Guide evolves, we will look to further develop these principles and create indicators for ‘healthy streets’ across the motu (land).