DTCE Consulting Engineers was part of a unique collaboration alongside local iwi, the Department of Conservation (DOC), and conservation architect Paul Cummack on a project that blends structural engineering with deep cultural care.

We helped to design a new foundation for the 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐤𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐮, a carved post of great cultural significance standing in a remote wetland. Over the years, high humidity (around 90% annually) and swampy ground have caused the timber to deteriorate—moisture has wicked up to 1.2 metres high, with saturation levels reaching 32%. Much of the base has already begun to rot and lose strength.

This isn’t just about fixing a structure—it’s about protecting a 𝐭𝐚𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚 (treasure) and the story it holds.
Together, we’ve developed a solution that respects both the 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐮 and the sensitivity of the environment: a raft foundation suited for soft, wet ground, combined with structural bracing for long-term stability.
This design allows the pou to remain in its original location while preventing further damage, ensuring it can continue to stand strong for future generations.