NEW ZEALAND. Auckland Airport has officially launched the new-look departure retail space in its international terminal. Highlights from the opening ceremony today included the unveiling of a symbolic tree-like structure known as “˜Pou Manawa’. [NOTE: Click on icon below for a first-hand report from The Moodie Report’s local correspondent Peter Dowling, who attended the opening].
In a special launch celebration at the new retail hub, Mayor of Auckland His Worship Len Brown and the Associate Minister for Transport Nathan Guy together pulled back a set of aircraft cockpit thrust levers to power up the sound and lights of Pou Manawa.
Located within the international departures area, the development combines a world-class retail experience with an expanded range of top quality retail outlets, food options and new local and international brands.
“The whole area has been rebuilt and while favourites such as JR Duty Free, DFS Duty Free, adidas and Artport still remain, they have been joined by local and international favourites such as Apple, Swatch, Moët & Chandon, MAC Cosmetics and Icebreaker,” said Auckland Airport General Manager Retail Adrian Littlewood*.
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The revamped departures retail area has added new brands such as Swatch, Moët & Chandon and MAC Cosmetics |
“We also have a number of new food and beverage offerings including Hayama Sushi and Valentino’s Gelato which Aucklanders will recall as an institution of the downtown ferry building. Additionally we’re very excited to announce that in early 2011 one of Auckland’s favourite delicatessens, Zarbo, will be joining the Auckland Airport retail family,” he continued.
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“Pou Manawa is the heart of the retail centre and stands proud where people gather“ |
Adrian Littlewood General Manager Retail and Commercial Auckland Airport |
“Around 18.6 million people spend time in the Auckland Airport terminals per year; that’s more than the busiest malls in New Zealand. The ongoing evolution of the retail departures area ensures that travellers will leave with a positive view of their time here, will encourage their friends to travel to our shores and will hopefully choose to return themselves,” added Littlewood.
The celebration, hosted by screen actor Temuera Morrison, featured the launch and inaugural full viewing of Pou Manawa.
Designed by Ignite Architects in conjunction with artist Michael Knapp, Pou Manawa stands nine metres high and its billowing canopy, featuring a cycle of different colours, covers a fabric surface area of 577sq m.
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Simon Moutter on Auckland Airport’s Departures redevelopment |
Traditional Maori designs by Kingi Gilbert, created using projectors and LED lighting, dance across Pou Manawa to bespoke music by New Zealand artists Rewi Spraggon and Riki Bennett. The continuously rotating 360-degree images depict carvings, nature and birds and symbolise travel; flight; voyaging and movement across vast expanses, oceans and airways; guidance and hospitality.
Littlewood believes that the architectural and audio-visual showpiece will become a memorable feature for all those passing through Auckland Airport.
“We are providing a symbolic centre-piece so passengers can not only browse and shop but also relax, unwind and reflect in a uniquely New Zealand way. Pou Manawa is the heart of the retail centre and stands proud where people gather,” he enthused.
Earlier in the day, representatives from local Iwi offered the blessing of Pou Manawa and the new retail space.
The Story of Pou Manawa
In designing the new retail departures area Auckland Airport and Ignite Architects developed the idea of a “˜heart’ space – an area with a central focus that people would gravitate to; a space “both interactive and engaging”, said Auckland Airport.
“So much of the imagery symbolising what we hold dear as New Zealanders focused on trees, the Pohutukawa stretching out over the beach, the soaring Totara, or the mighty Kauri. And so the concept of Pou Manawa was born,” the airport explained.
From a cone shaped tiled trunk reminiscent of Auckland’s volcanic landscape grows the base, stylised in the dark timber of New Zealand’s bush.
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Click here for a first-hand report on today’s opening from The Moodie Report’s man down under, Peter Dowling |
Pou Manawa – The name
Pou: Refers to a point or place of reference by being upright; or a pole to support and provide sustenance. In this case the tree-like structure is a place of reference.
Manawa: The heart of a person or seat of affections.
Pou Manawa: This is a place “where many hearts will meet and beat with happiness, or sometimes sorrow, and where emotions will be shared, expressed or sometimes quietly subdued”, the airport described.
I am the pou so lean on me
Not just a tree as you can see
I am a special place where you will hear
People laughing, crying or shedding a tear
Moving imagery
There are six main themes that are reflected through the 36-minute cycle of Pou Manawa: Ocean, Flax, Fern, Night Sky, Sunrise/Sunset, and Pohutakawa.
Traditional Maori designs are reflected onto Pou Manawa using projectors and LED lighting, generating 360-degree images, patterns and designs that float across the canopy of Pou Manawa.
As mentioned, the intricate designs are created by Kingi Gilbert and depict New Zealand carvings.
The Māori kite symbolises the spreading of wings and breadth of life, drawing close parallels to individuals embarking on travel. The He Manutukutuku kite is adorned with Ara-hau representing wind paths, wind spirals and jet streams, much like taking off on an aeroplane towards a new destination.
The He Torora orca whale, He Mangopare hammerhead shark and He Whai stingray are adorned with Ara-moana, depicting pathways to the ocean, in this case the Manukau harbour. They sail a route representing travel and navigation.
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Mayor of Auckland His Worship Len Brown (left) and the Associate Minister for Transport Nathan Guy together pull back a set of aircraft cockpit thrust levers to power up the sound and lights of Pou Manawa in a special launch celebration |
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Designed by Ignite Architects in conjunction with artist Michael Knapp, the Pou Manawa installation stands nine metres high and its billowing canopy, featuring a cycle of different colours, covers a fabric surface area of 577sq m |
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“Symbolic centre-piece”: Traditional Maori designs by Kingi Gilbert are reflected onto Pou Manawa using projectors and LED lighting, generating 360-degree images, patterns and designs that float across the canopy of Pou Manawa |
Nga Waka Haurua, the pattern of two sails which represent a double hulled voyaging canoe of the Maori, is contained within the Ara-moana.
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Auckland’s new retail mix |
The fluidity of the Awa pattern adorning He Torora is representative of a river flowing with energy, life and water through many tributaries of the Manukau harbour – once again, much like travel.
The He Manu Tui is decorated with a Kowhai Ngutu-Kaka design. Inspired by the feeding of birds, it represents flourishing, hospitality and rest; Pou Manawa is depicted as a welcome resting station for weary travellers.
The Taniwha Kaitiaki are small notches at the entrance to the Ara-hau, Ara-moana and Awa and symbolise guardians for travel in all forms.
The soundtrack
The “eerily beautiful” sound of Pou Manawa has been created by Riki Bennett and Rewi Spraggon, leading exponents of the ancient art of taonga puoro or traditional Maori music.
Their ethereal performance is evocative of New Zealand’s natural environment and will act as a reminder to all those passing under Pou Manawa. Combining the call of the birds and the roll of the waves, travellers will be transported back to the music of the forest pre-European times, said Auckland Airport.
*NOTE: Adrian Littlewood will be speaking at the Trinity Forum 2011, to be held in Bangkok on February 9-11. The Forum, a joint venture between Airports Council International (ACI) and The Moodie Report, is being hosted by King Power International Group. To register click here.
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