Culture woven into arena plans
The Ma¯ori art of weaving a cloak, or ka¯kahu, has provided inspiration for the design of Palmerston North’s Central Energy Trust Arena redevelopment.
The city council has released a series of images showing how the site’s culture and history will be bound into the elements of the makeover.
Work started as soon as Covid-19 restrictions eased on the $17 million construction including a new entrance plaza, footbridge into the stadium, speedway pits and embankment.
Council venues general manager Sacha Haskell said the approach had been to make cultural elements an integral part of the design.
‘‘Design elements can often be added as an afterthought to construction, or added without a clear purpose in mind.
‘‘We wanted to make sure design thinking occurred in the construction process itself.’’
Rangita¯ne tohunga whakairo (master carver) Warren Warbrick has been the cultural adviser for the project.
He based his advice on the Ma¯ori proverb He aho tangata, the threads that bind us, providing a way to link the various strands of the site’s history and current use under the ‘‘mantle of peace’’.
The triangular niho pattern used on the taniko border of many cloaks has been used as a recurring feature in the paving, furniture and lighting around the site.
Haskell said the triangle pattern like the stripes of rank used in the Defence Force resounded with the grounds’ military history, and the Chevron design that was common in motorsport.
People walking over the 8-metrewide bridge into the arena will get an eye-level view of illuminated images conveying the history of the site and recalling words from personalities closely connected to the venue.
On other occasions, the images will change, to display poppies for Anzac Day, or racing cars for speedway events.
In a further twist on the functional planning for the venue, the speedway pits have been designed so that when they are not in use, the large green space and a running track alongside it will be available for other recreational use.
Haskell said one of the possible uses would be for a drive-in cinema.
Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith, who chairs the arena master plan project steering group, said the designs had overwhelming support from CET Arena’s main user groups.
He said it was exciting to see the partnership with Rangita¯ne taking physical shape.
The pattern and cloak themes were likely to be used at other sites around the city in future years as a symbol of community unity.