how it works

Paererewā is an invitation—an invitation to reflect on the places that matter to us, personally and collectively, and to thoughtfully mark them for future generations.

Anyone is able to suggest a Pae location. Suggestions are considered and when a Pae progresses, the idea is discussed with range of experts beginning with Mana Whenua and often including historians, archaeologists and geotechnical engineers.

If you would like to get started to create a Pae, please book a call with our team.

An individual, family, expat, tourist or company might fund a Pae in a place with meaning to them, or commemorate a story, group, person or event.

A whānau, hapū, or iwi may choose to mark a site within their rohe to bring attention to—a place to commemorate, a moment to remember, or a moemoeā to carry forward.

A council or government agency may propose a Paererewā concept and create it as part of an existing or new infrastructure project.

It could start with a club, society or community that wants to create a Pae for a community they serve, or that wants to share a local story or highlight a landscape or view.

A sister city programme or diplomatic mission might gift a Pae to show friendship or acknowledge a special connection, designer or place.

A person may leave a gift in their will for a Pae to be created at a site or with a community or purpose of their choosing.

Designers and fabricators

With the support of Objectspace, Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading gallery dedicated to the fields of design, craft and architecture, we have curated a list of leading designers that span many disciplines. We continually add to this panel and welcome concepts from established or emerging craftspeople, designers or architects.

We have relationships with a range of materials suppliers and fabricators around the country who can procure and work with materials intended to last 1,000 years—and are always interested in meeting new people and learning about new options, materials and capabilities.

The importance of place

Paererewā honours the layered histories of Aotearoa New Zealand by embracing dual knowledge systems and addressing potential narrative conflicts thoughtfully.

We engage experts, beginning with Mana Whenua, and invite support to achieve the outcome.

The primary initiators of each Pae—whether individuals, families, groups, iwi, communities, or businesses—lead the narrative, shaping the design and story of that Pae.

Our impact

We are a purpose-driven organisation, striving to make positive impacts in Aotearoa New Zealand. We aim to:

1. create a dialogue on long-term thinking and normalise a multi-generational approach;

2. uplift creative practices that encompass the diverse histories of making—from centuries-old crafts like carving and weaving to modern design disciplines;

3. integrate local fabricators, designers and materials suppliers to transform the potential of using very long-term, low impact or carbon negative materials and manufacturing processes;

4. advance existing and new place-based projects and causes (e.g. ecological restoration, supporting preservation of cultural narrative);

5. work to restore kinship between humans and the natural world, and our role as part of, and protectors of, nature.

Long-term maintenance

Pae are maintained through a unique model of place-based philanthropy. We are establishing an endowment fund which a percentage of each Pae purchase contributes to. The earnings of the fund are used to protect and enhance the Pae sites over time.

Pae created by community groups, iwi or councils are maintained by those groups.

Land ownership arrangements vary, but all must permit public visitation. Land may also be gifted to the Paererewā Trust for long-term protection and the creation of a Paererewā.