Heritage

RuapekapekaPa Site Development Master Plan Study and Research Study 

Heritage

Fourteen kilometres south east of Kawakawa, Ruapekapeka is one of the largest and most complex Maori pa (forts) in New Zealand.

Visitor Solutions were involved to help establish a vision for Ruapekapeka Pa and the whole of the battlefield site by developing both an appropriate visitor infrastructure and a comprehensive interpretation programme.  The project aimed to enhance the public’s understanding of the site’s nationally and internationally recognised historic values, while protecting the site’s wairua (spirit). The study involved ongoing visitor research in the form of a visitor questionnaire, participant observation, interviews and a series of focus groups. The project set out a detailed development plan for the next fifteen years which included the analysis and planning of features such as walking tracks, interpretation and a potential visitor centre.

In 2019, Visitor Solutions and Locales were commissioned to undertake a high-level opportunities analysis for the site.

Kororipo-KeriKeri Basin Sustainable Development Plan Feasibility & Concept Development Study 

Heritage

The Kerikeri Basin, in Northland, comprises land surrounding the Kerikeri River where it flows into the Kerikeri Inlet.

The authentic heritage elements within this landscape are a unique cluster of Maori and Christian missionary contact period places and structures, including Kororipo pa (fortified settlement) and associated sites, the Kororipo whirlpool, the Kerikeri Mission Station (Mission House and Stone Store), and other archaeological sites within the Basin and its waterways.

Visitor Solutions was contracted by the Historic Places Trust, Iwi, Department of Conservation and the Far North District Council to carry out a large-scale feasibility and concept development study to protect and minimise threats to these heritage areas.  Key project research components included the evaluation of visitor flows, visitor experience and interpretation, and visitor projections. The key development components included the evaluation of operational costs, carrying capacity, revenue maximisation, historic asset protection, and new facility development and transportation issues.

National War Memorial Pukeahu Interpretation and Education Centre Concept and Feasibility Study

Heritage

Manatū Taonga – Ministry for Culture and Heritage was looking to establish a new education centre in Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Buckle St, Wellington.

The centre would provide a home for the Pukeahu education programme offering school students and other visitors opportunities to remember, interpret, reflect and understand New Zealand’s experience of war.

Visitor Solutions worked with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and key partners such as the Ministry of Defence, Te Papa, Auckland War Memorial Museum and Wellington City Council on the concept development and feasibility of a new visitor and education centre. The project involved a review of museum and interpretive needs, existing visitor operations and detailed economic and operational analysis alongside the actual building components and site selection.  The project was a partnership with Locales and Ken Gorbey.