Boffa Miskell was engaged by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to prepare a Historic Reserve Management Plan for Ōnawe Pā on behalf of Wairewa Rūnanga who hold mana whenua (territorial rights) over the area.

Existing relationships with mana whenua were pivotal in ensuring a respectful and collaborative working environment across the life of the project. Boffa Miskell's Te Hīhiri and Planning teams collaborated to carry out background research and prepare an issues and options discussion paper that outlined the purpose of the plan and the key issues. Boffa Miskell's terrestrial ecologist undertook an assessment of the site's ecological value and taonga species. UAV aerial imagery, high-definition flyover videos, and a digital surface model enabled detailed mapping of the site and associated features and served as a baseline for future reference. 

Final approval from the Minister of Conservation was given to the Ōruaka Pā Historic Reserve Management Plan. Although we had extended periods of engagement that we did not anticipate, this resulted in a collaborative working environment between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Wairewa Rūnanga and Boffa Miskell. We have since been engaged to prepare the Ōnawe Pā Historic Reserve Management Plan.