Skip to main content
Auckland Council The Auckland Plan

Direction 4: Showcase Auckland’s Māori identity and vibrant Māori culture

Ara 4: Whakaari i te tuakiri Māori me ngā ahurea ngangahau Māori o Tāmaki Makaurau

Auckland's Māori identity is its unique point of difference in the world. This identity can be built on and developed through a number of approaches.

Auckland's Māori history and presence must be woven throughout Auckland's fabric - the design of our places and spaces.

Photograph of Otahuhu station that incorporates Maori design.

Showcasing and sharing Māori history, stories, and arts creates opportunities for all Aucklanders and visitors to learn about, experience and embrace Auckland's vibrant Māori culture. Sharing these stories could continue to focus on key gateways into Auckland and through Māori public art, local events and digital story telling.

Māori must play a central role in crafting and sharing these stories.

Māori values and traditional knowledge, combined with contemporary Māori design, art and culture offer a unique and authentic means to design our built environment.

They enable Māori to see themselves reflected in their city, and foster a sense of Māori identity and pride in all Aucklanders.

Creating this unique reflection requires ongoing partnership with Māori that generates beneficial outcomes for all parties.

To have a flourishing Māori language – te reo Māori – requires all Aucklanders to grow their capability. Transforming Tāmaki Makaurau to a fully bi-lingual city will create a place where Aucklanders and visitors can see, hear and use te reo Māori daily.

Businesses have the opportunity to embrace Auckland's Māori identity, and through collaboration with Māori, can attract visitors and investment and showcase Auckland to the rest of the world. This sets Auckland apart from other international cities.

Related information