Tohu Whenua is a visitor programme that promotes Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant heritage and cultural sites. Tohu Whenua’s vision is for a nationwide network of sites that connects New Zealanders with their heritage and the defining stories of Aotearoa New Zealand[1]. Sites chosen for the programme are also referred to as Tohu Whenua. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with stories, they offer visitors a consistently high level of heritage experiences.
History
editTohu Whenua (originally called Landmarks Whenua Tohunga) was launched in 2016 with a pilot rollout in Te Tai Tokerau Northland (9 sites), followed by rollouts in Otago (11 sites, 2017) and Te Tai Poutini West Coast (5 sites launched in 2018 and 2020)[2]. At the time of the West Coast launch, the programme’s name was changed to Tohu Whenua to better reflect the national focus of the programme. The name Tohu Whenua acknowledges memories of the land, marking places made significant by the nation’s forebears and telling their stories. Literally translated from te reo Māori, it means ‘landmark’ (tohu = mark; whenua = land). A strategic planning process to grow Tohu Whenua into a nationwide programme was finalised in 2020. Branding was refreshed that same year, with new brochures, a new website and a fresh approach to talking about the programme created to support the strategy. Following a number of challenges, the programme's Steering Group paused a rollout planned for Waikato and decided to begin rollout in Kā Pākihi Whakatekateka o Waitaha Canterbury and add Māori heritage sites in Te Tai Poutini West Coast and Otago. The goal is to roll out Tohu Whenua in all regions of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Governance
editTohu Whenua is a partnership between Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (HNZPT), Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) and Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) with support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki (MBIE) and Te Puni Kokiri Ministry for Māori Development (TPK)[2]. Representatives from all five agencies are part of the Governance Group.
At a working level, a Steering Group with members from HNZPT, DOC, MCH and TPK oversees operations. The programme employs one permanent staff member, Tohu Whenua’s programme manager.
Selection criteria for sites
editTohu Whenua works closely with iwi and communities in each region to identify the places that are most significant to their rohe. Sites chosen as Tohu Whenua are places that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand as a nation and created the country’s defining stories. The sites are assessed against the programme’s criteria, which include its significance to the country, storytelling potential, community benefit, a willing owner and accessibility[2].
Tohu Whenua sites
editThere are currently 25 Tohu Whenua in three regions. Each Tohu Whenua region has a unique story to tell.
Northland’s Tohu Whenua, and the interweaving journeys, tell the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand’s beginnings as a nation[3]. These are the places where both Māori and European ancestors arrived, centuries apart, and where their identities were defined.
- Ruapekapeka Pā
- Pompallier Mission and Printery
- Rākaumangamanga Cape Brett
- Rangihoua Heritage Park
- Kororipo Heritage Park
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Te Waimate Mission
- Māngungu Mission
- Clendon House
The West Coast’s Tohu Whenua tell the stories of the hardships endured for Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prized resources[4]. A region known for its incredible beauty and rich bounty, these are places where people’s limits were tested and rewarded.
Otago’s Tohu Whenua are places that tell the stories of the people’s pioneering spirit – some of the cornerstones of Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic and entrepreneurial livelihood[5].
References
edit- ^ Interactive (https://www.nvinteractive.com), N. V. "About – Tohu Whenua". tohuwhenua.nz. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ^ a b c Interactive (https://www.nvinteractive.com), N. V. "About – Tohu Whenua". tohuwhenua.nz. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ^ Interactive (https://www.nvinteractive.com), N. V. "Te Tai Tokerau Northland – Tohu Whenua". tohuwhenua.nz. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ^ Interactive (https://www.nvinteractive.com), N. V. "Te Tai Poutini West Coast – Tohu Whenua". tohuwhenua.nz. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
{{cite web}}: External link in|last= - ^ Interactive (https://www.nvinteractive.com), N. V. "Otago – Tohu Whenua". tohuwhenua.nz. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
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