Ensuring indigenous design strengthens creative communities

Boffa Miskell was a proud sponsor of Ngo Aho Inc.’s 2016 I Ta Timatanga indigenous design conference.

Ngo Aho Incorporated hosted an Indigenous Design Conference from the 26th to the 29th February 2016. The conference called all indigenous architects, landscape architects, designers, urban designers, design thinkers and public art practitioners to discuss and share stories and successes of creative indigenous communities.

The four-day conference focused around three concepts:

Mauri Tu; Connect, Create and Innovate by sharing stories and ideas.

Whanaungatanga; Togetherness through exploring indigenous connections and sharing successes.

Kaitiakitanga; Guardianship by depending the understanding of the role of indigenous designers in enabling Maori culture to be projected into the public realm.

Hosted by Ngā Aho, a national network of Māori Design professionals in conjunction with local hapu Ngāti Hau, the well-attended conference attracted design practitioners, recent graduates and students from across both Aotearoa and indigenous communities worldwide.

Boffa Miskell was represented at the hui by Craig Pauling, Nik Kneale and Dylan Robinson from the Ōtautahi office and Aynsley Cisaria of the Tāmaki Makaurau office.

Alongside various Aotearoa-based designers, international manuhiri from Canada (Crow, Peguis First Nation, Tlicho First Nation, Nisga’a), Australia (Aboriginal), Nigeria and El Salvador spoke of the ways in which they seek to use their mahi to raise the profile of their culture and of the challenges they face in doing so. Several 20 minute Kora sessions showcased the exciting research and projects of talented Māori design students and recent graduates.

Aotearoa New Zealand was considered by our international guests as leading the world in the realm of indigenous design, and Boffa Miskell are proud to be an active player in the development and support of indigenous design throughout Aotearoa.