Ngā Aho is hosting an international indigenous design conference titled I Te Timatanga / At the Source in Te Tai Tokerau (Whakapara Marae, Northland), running from 26 – 29 February 2016.

I Te Timatanga will bring together design and planning professionals including architects, landscape architects, urban designers, design thinkers, public art practitioners and consultants working in the indigenous design space to discuss their approaches to design, share thoughts and evolve ideas on how the public realm can be shaped by appropriately integrating indigenous design narratives and values.   

The conference focuses around the following themes:

• Mauri Tū / Connect-Create-Innovate – Connect, re-energize, re-focus with kindred indigenous designers. Share ideas, stories, strategies, opportunities and experiences.
• Whanaungatanga / Togetherness – Exploring indigenous connections and sharing strategies and successes. Indigenous design connected by shared purpose.
• Kaitiakitanga / Guardianship – Deepening an understanding of the role of indigenous designers as kaitiaki (guardians) of the public realm.

This is a significant occasion for indigenous people around the world, and is the inauguration of this event. Invitations are being extended locally to iwi and hapū, Māori organisations and design professionals as well as internationally to those who have interests in indigenous design. A diverse group of speakers will be present from Australia, North America (First Nations), Latin America, Africa and India.

The conference will run for four days and will include hearing from key speakers on indigenous design from across Aotearoa as well as international guests.  A number of site visits are planned, including visiting Waitangi, as well as an optional 10 day hīkoi or tour to visit exemplar sites across the country. 

Further information about the conference can be found here.