Construction Partner appointed.

It’s all go at Pukekura The Parade, with the appointment of Livingstone Building as the construction partner for these 36 townhouses. Since 1947, Livingstone has built a reputation for excellence in construction through the commercial, industrial, and large-scale residential sectors across the upper North Island. With four regional branches across Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, and Waikato plus comprehensive Pre-Construction, Construction and Asset Management teams, Livingstone offers a collaborative approach through the full lifecycle of their projects. Pukekura the Parade will benefit from their skilled and experienced team, which covers the full range of project delivery roles to ensure quality results: safely, on time and on budget.

A note on moving into the construction phase, from the developer:

Dion Tuuta – Pouwhakahaere (CEO) of Developer Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa comments: “An important part of our development activity is ensuring that appropriate tikanga practices are maintained.  Before construction commenced, a site blessing was led by Ngāti Te Whiti hapū who hold mana whenua over the site and a mouri stone “Pai-mārire” sourced from the Huatoki river was laid on the site.  We look forward to working with Livingstone and Egmont Dixon as project managers to deliver this signature project.”

About the Mauri Stone ceremony:

Several photos below explain the customs behind this ceremony. Many thanks to Ngāti Te Whiti hapū members for leading the blessing, and to Aisha Campbell for the beautifully captured photos of this special day.

Ngāti Te Whiti hapū lead members of Te Kotahitanga o Te Atiawa, New Plymouth District Council, and the project team onto the grounds of Pukekura The Parade, ahead of the site’s blessing.
The mouri stone “Pai-mārire” ready to be laid into the ground of Pukekura The Parade. Pai-mārire was sourced from the Huatoki river, and holds profound significance, embodying the spiritual essence and life force of Ngāti Te Whiti hapū land and people. By incorporating this mouri stone into the site, mana whenua traditions and values are honoured, creating a sense of belonging and connection, emotional and spiritual well-being for all.
Kaumatua Hōani Eriwata from Ngāti Te Whiti plays the pūkaea signalling the official commencement of laying the mouri stone ceremony. Following the pūkaea was the karanga. The karakia cohort led the gathering to the mouri stone blessing location.
Ngāti Te Whiti whānau members come together in laying Pai-mārire into the ground of Pukekura The Parade. Encased in a kete, the weight of the mouri stone was such that it needed two whānau members to lower the stone.
Ngāti te Whiti whānau member placing a kawakawa branch into the hole with the mouri stone to acknowledge past historical activities and at the same time acknowledging new beginnings. In this development context, the kawakawa represents the loss of land but also the beginning of a new era, reconnection and restoration.