Meandering Cultures: Cross-cultural spaces on the Waihorotiu Stream

Abstract

One of the similarities between Thai and Maori cultures is their respect for their rivers. A river is a body of water signifying the origin of life in both cultures, playing an important role in the early settlement of Maori and Thais who live as part of the river. Waihorotiu was once a freshwater stream which provided a clean water source for drinking and bathing to early Maori settlements. Being fed by a collection of small tributaries, the stream flowed x down the west side of the Queen Street today. It has been transformed from being an open drain, being covered over, and buried underground by the urbanization of the area. This thesis proposes a series of cross-cultural spaces, derived from the study of river lifestyles, enduring architecture1, and public market; interpreting them in different ways and locating along the Queen Street, that in essence recovers and reconnects Auckland people with their forgotten Waihorotiu Stream. The proposed cross-cultural space is based on the author’s interest in exchanging of ideas across cultures; in particular – Maori and Thai. It is a place where people can share their own cultures, not only between Maori and Thai, but also among other cultural groups in the Auckland City isthmus. The project provides an opportunity to improve the existing urban environment, by introducing a new style of living to the city, while directly engaging its citizens with their natural heritages.