Motuarohia Island Viewing Platform Replacement and access Track Upgrade
Project location
Motuarohia Island (Roberton Island), Bay of Islands
Client
Department of Conservation – Bay of Islands
Services provided by Frame Group
Solutioning, Concept Design and Visualisation
Detailed Design and Engineering
Consents Management
Construction Management
Partners
Milton Harward Construction Ltd – Construction Contractor
Motuarohia Island is a significant heritage site which includes archaeological remnants of a major pā and other important landscape features. This project provides better public access, protection of archaeological features, and ensures the safety of the expected visitors to the site. The design approach carefully minimised disturbance to archaeology, including re-use of existing piles and limiting the installation of new foundations where possible.
Frame Group designed the upgrade of approximately 390m of existing walking track and steps leading to a new summit platform which was configured to utilise the original platform foundations, thus minimising archaeological impact, whilst providing a larger, more dramatic viewing point for visitors. The track alignment was carefully arranged to provide safer access up the steep hillside for a wide range of visitor capabilities, while protecting users from hazardous cliff edges and exposed areas.
Work was completed in time for the Tuia 250 commemoration (250th Anniversary of Captain James Cook’s first arrival to New Zealand), reflecting a tight project timeframe. Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavour, anchored near Motuarohia in 1769. The summit platform was designed to reflect the site’s nautical and historic context, drawing inspiration from traditional Māori waka forms, details from the Endeavour, and woven flax deck patterns, while creating a dramatic approach to the historic pā site.
