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.