Preserving ecological assets and engaging the community of Kāpiti Island.
For over 100 years, Kāpiti Island has been a protected marine and nature reserve, and home to eight generations of mana whenua.
Kāpiti Island is also a highly regarded tourist destination, marine and nature reserve and is protected in part by The Crown and the Department of Conservation.
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Mitigating complex environmental risks and engaging diverse stakeholders
Land Matters were engaged to project management the following:
- Re-establish the existing Lodge – first built in the late 1800’s to cater for 24 overnight occupants and four members of staff
- Construct new potable water, fire-fighting, effluent disposal system and secure power infrastructure for the lodge for nearby whares
- Future-proof the infrastructure needs for all of Waiorua Bay, through the consultation and collaboration with the wider whānau and three iwi confederation (Ngati Toa Rangatira, Te Ati Awa ki Whakarongotai and Ngāti Raukawa)
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Leaning into challenges and finding resourceful solutions
Far from being a run-of-the-mill redevelopment, this Kāpiti Island project faced a number of complex challenges including:
- No mains power on the island
- No mains water on the island
- It is a site of historical and cultural importance and required assessment
froman archaeologist, marine ecologist and terrestrial (land) and freshwater ecologists, and a biosecurity expert - It is a marine and nature reserve with restricted visitor numbers to assist with the management of contaminants and waste, and the impact of
numbers to the land
To work through these and other challenges along the way, Land Matters required consents from Greater Wellington Regional Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council, an authority from Heritage New Zealand, and possible concessions from Ngati Toa Rangatira, Kāpiti Island Strategic
Advisory Committee, and from the Department of Conservation.
“I love working out the complex problems our clients face and getting them the support they need, getting solutions that work and working closely with them while we do it.”
Anna Carter
Principal Planner
A particular challenge for this wahi tāpu was finding the right solution for an effluent disposal system – as the current solution ran through a culturally significant burial site.
Time was then spent developing an alternative solution which featured composting toilets and a greywater system.
“Land Matters offers more practical rather than theoretical solutions, and better overall service. After working with other planners, Bryce is best planner you can get in the Wellington region”
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Achieving project visions while protecting both society and place
Working with industry experts to give a holistic range of solutions to all stakeholders, Land Matters were able to uphold the values of mana whenua while meeting all regulatory requirements.
Through the proposed work, Land Matters was also able to identify other opportunities which provided mutual benefits to the land-owners and the District Council, namely encouraging the client to undertake activities to minimise weed species in line with KCDC’s Proposed District Plan.
The successful restoration of the Waiorua Lodge will provide education to visitors, employment to mana whenua, support their roles as kaitiaki, and share the beauty and majesty that is Kāpiti Island.
Delivering innovative property, community
and environmental solutions.
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