Te Makeke Ao Rii Vaka kite Wale/Whare/Fale/Hale/Are The Binding Strength of the Vaka to the House Indigenous Māori Architecture – from Pukapuka and Rarotonga, Te Moana Nui o Kiva “Sustainable Resilient Futures: Unearthing Indigenous Maori Architecture from the Cook Islands (Pukapuka and Rarotonga) Te Moana Nui o Kiva"

Abstract

This research delves into the untapped wealth of traditional Māori architecture existing in Pukapuka, Cook Islands, addressing scarce historical records to revive traditional Māori building principles. With a focus on climate-resilient solutions, the study aims to bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary practices. Examining historical design principles and their evolution, the project engages directly with living 'Taunga' master builders passed down by ‘father to son’ and employs indigenous research methodologies to explore evolving design principles, cultural nuances, and structural efficiencies honed over thousands of years in the Moana Nui o Kiva.

Anchored in traditional oral pragmatism, the research seeks structural efficiency within Polynesia while delineating distinct influences within East Polynesia, connecting Pukapuka, and Rarotonga to Aotearoa. By blending historical perspectives with contemporary challenges, the project aims to pave the way for sustainable futures rooted in Māori architectural heritage.

The project incorporates ‘Te Papa Tau’ or ‘The Solid Foundation,’ building the platform through genealogical, traditional oral knowledge guided by the spiritual and natural world of ‘Mana Tangata’ and ‘Mana Māori.’ Repatriation efforts and synthesis of comparative understanding strive to maintain and enhance cultural and experiential knowledge, ensuring the preservation and adaptation of traditional techniques for future generations.

Why Pukapuka? Pukapuka’s unique location between West Polynesia and East Polynesia was the bridge way-point or ‘bus stop’ in the initial migrations during the Fiji-Tonga Tui Tonga empire expansion across Upolu to Tau and Manua with Pukapuka being the furthest motu. With the expansion of the Tui Tonga 500-1000 years later Pukapuka was used as the reference point (bus stop) to locations such as Manihiki, Rakahanga, Tongareva, in northern Cook Islands, Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa in the Marquesus group, the Tuamotu group, Kiri-bati, onwards Hawaii, Huahine, Tuamotus, Raiatea, Rarotonga, Tahiti, Rapa iti and Rapa Nui. This calculated mind map of islands in our ancestors' minds of forever remembering where we were going and where we came from. Pukapuka was a bridge forgotten and is one key to unlocking the to its perserva. Its strategic location maintains its importance in the resistance to dramatic modernisation change.

‘Kia mau, kia opu, e kia kite pakari i to tatou ao nei’