Cultural sites

Cultural sites in Aotearoa New Zealand hold the key to a rich tapestry of history, traditions, and identity.

From ancient Māori settlements to the vibrant contributions of the Pasifika community, these sites offer a glimpse into the country’s diverse heritage.

Preserving and honouring these locations not only fosters a sense of pride and community among the people, but also serves as a bridge between generations, allowing for a deeper understanding of the past and connection among our communities.

Discover a few examples of how Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit has helped to refresh, restore and revitalise cultural sites throughout Aotearoa, below.

The Provincial Growth Fund

COVID-19 recovery funding

Pākinga Pā

Bird's eye view of a large hilly grass area with trees and bushes in the centre Pākinga Pā is a site of historical and cultural significance to Ngāpuhi, especially local hapū, Ngāti Tautahi and Ngāti Ueoneone. While it currently sits on farm land, collaboration between the private landowners and local hapū, with support from Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, will see the whenua returned to hapū for future generations.

Pākinga Pā received a grant of $750,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF).

Find out more and watch the full video series on Pākinga Pā.

Pasifika churches

A new building with a rounded brick roof, with people in traditional Pasifika clothing gathering outside it Kānoa administered a total of $9.17 million of government funding to enable the renovations and restorations of 27 Pasifika churches, from Balclutha to Kirikiriroa Hamilton, helping to create jobs and improve facilities for all Pasifika communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Pasifika church renovations and restorations were funded through Kānoa’s Provincial Growth Fund reset and COVID-19 Response – Worker Redeployment Package. It also supported 410 individuals into employment, of those 76 were not in education, employment or training and 103 were Pasifika.

Churches play a significant role in Pasifika local communities. They are not just places of worship, but are cultural treasures where elders and youth connect and inter-generational bonds are nurtured and strengthened through storytelling, songs, dance and arts. They provide a sense of belonging, a touchstone to ancestral roots, and are a platform for preserving languages, customs and traditions.

These churches also act as a social hub and venue for a multitude of significant events in the community – being vibrant, active villages in their own right.

Find out more about a few of the Pasifika Churches:

K’aute Pasifika Village in Waikato

Tukupā Ma’a Kalaisi in Timaru

Ngā Ara Tipuna

A white archway made of wooden Māori carvings on a clay dirt ground with small plants either side of it, and trees behind. Ngā Ara Tipuna is a digital storytelling trail through ancient pā and wetlands bringing to life the stories of Tamatea Central Hawke’s Bay.

Ngā Ara Tipuna received a grant of $2.9 million from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), adding to more than $1 million in funding from council, community trusts and other groups and officially opened in June, 2022.

Find out more and watch the full video series on Ngā Ara Tipuna.

Taranaki Cathedral site

A large group of people sitting on chairs inside a building with wooden diamond panelling and Māori and Pasifika designs. The Taranaki Cathedral is a site of national significance and great importance to the Taranaki region. The site received a grant from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) – $3 million of which went towards the curation of a permanent showcase of the stories relating to the Cathedral site and construction of Te Whare Hononga to house the stories, and $2 million will help earthquake strengthen the Cathedral.