MANA AHUREA STORY
Three golds for indigenous design in Ōtepoti
Three gold awards for Aukaha’s Mana Ahurea recognise the power of Kāi Tahu-led design in shaping the identity of Ōtepoti’s built environment.
Wednesday 27 May 2026 – Aukaha’s cultural design integration team, Mana Ahurea, has been recognised with three major awards for its work embedding Kāi Tahu narratives, values and identity across design development in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Aukaha is a rūnaka-owned consultancy delivering cultural design integration, environmental planning and consents, and social outcomes on behalf of its five papatipu rūnaka shareholders. Through its Mana Ahurea pou, the organisation works with mana whenua to ensure Kāi Tahu narratives, values and identity are woven into the built environment.
Mana whenua panellist Dr Megan Potiki (Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou), who wrote the narratives for two of the award-winning projects, says cultural design integration plays a critical role in establishing both identity and understanding.
“It’s important that our mokopuna can see themselves, their stories and their culture reflected in the spaces around them so they, too, have a strong sense of belonging,” Dr Potiki says.
“It’s also important for the wider city to understand our shared history, both socially and environmentally, and these narratives, values and designs reflect that.”
Ōtepoti, the new home to ACC, received Gold for the Commercial Architecture category, at the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Southern Regional Architecture Awards, held at Dunedin’s Regent Theatre.
The project was delivered in collaboration with Warren and Mahoney led by Tim Hervey, and Ngāi Tahu Property, with Aukaha’s Mana Ahurea project manager Kitty Brown and Kāi Tahu artist Kirsten Parkinson.
Inspired by the unique woven form of the poti (basket), reflecting the harbour’s historic shape, Kirsten’s designs informed the buildings distinctive façade.
Golden diagonal aluminium fins and glass frit patterns resemble the colour of aged harakeke and respond to the changing light and seasonal landscape of Queen’s Gardens.
Dunedin City Council’s civic floor was also awarded Gold for Interior Architecture at the 2026 NZIA Southern Regional Architecture Awards. The design draws on the values and narratives of Te Taki Haruru (DCC’s Māori Strategic Framework), led by Mana Ahurea Design Lead Simon Kaan, with artwork by Morgan Darlison (Kāi Tahu) and in partnership with TEAM Architects.
A third project, Te Whata o Kaituna, was also recognised at the Master Builders Awards held in Auckland on 15 May, receiving Gold for the NZ Commercial Project Award. The cultural design was based on the narrative of Kaituna, the original name for the South Dunedin area, also written by Dr Potiki, with Mana Ahurea Design Leads Aroha Novak and Simon Kaan, and Kāi Tahu artists Ephraim Russell, Megan Brady, and Keri Whaitiri, and Michel Tuffrey (Samoa, Rarotonga, Ma’ohi Tahiti).
Dr Pōtiki says these awards highlight the value of working with mana whenua.
“These recognitions confirm the importance of creating design that is unique to place, and embedded in values and meaningful partnership,” she says.
Aukaha Chief Executive Cory Neale says the recognition affirms the strength of Mana Ahurea as leaders in cultural design integration.
“It has been great to play a role in bringing shareholding rūnaka cultural narratives into the Ōtepoti landscape.”
“This recognition is a testament to the skill of Mana Ahurea, guided by mana whenua, and the talent of our Kāi Tahu artists in creating spaces that carry identity and stories, bringing a unique and authentic sense of place.”
“These recognitions confirm the importance of creating design that is unique to place, and embedded in values and meaningful partnership."
Dr Megan Potiki, Mana Ahurea mana whenua panelist, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou
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