Opened on November 13, 2022 the Camp Paekākāriki interpretive site is an out-door story-telling gallery in Queen Elizabeth Park.
A key feature of the site is a 2-metre high carved totara pou in memory of Ngati Haumia Kuia – Miriona Utu Budge – the original owner of the land. Carving is by Stephen Mhyre and Rob West.
The structure of the ‘story-telling wall’ is a 10-metre-long palisade made of 34 corten steel fins supporting seven graphically designed panels, each 1.3 meters high.
The panels include: general information on the camp, personal stories from residents of the day, maps, and photos. A feature of the design is: ‘never-seen before’ photographs from the Norm Hatch archival collection, a high definition, digital copy of which was recently deposited in the Nga Taonga sound and film archive
Camp Paekākāriki was designed by landscape architect, Cheryl Robilliad and Steve Dunn in association with Anne Johnston Design (Pukerua Bay). The design was developed in consultation with the Trust and the Greater Wellington Regional Council
Trust Historian, Anthony Dreaver, researched and wrote the text for the panels and managed the project in tandem with Trust Executive, Allie Webber. The panels were printed and constructed by DAC – sign writers & manufacturers in Porirua.
The wall, including the foundations, were pre-fabricated, by Riverbank Engineering in Ōtaki, who also supplied the steel. Additional design and installation advice was provided by Base Consulting Engineers Ltd. The Greater Wellington Regional Council Parks team did the mahi and put the foundations and an accompanying park bench in. Our GWRC Park Ranger, Brendan Buliff has also provided valuable support and advice.