Awhiworld

A parallel universe uncovered through transdisciplinary facilitation, hybrid story-ing and ungenreable activities.

Primary Location: West Papakura, South Auckland, New Zealand (37° 5' 0“ South, 174° 57' 0” East) http://www.maplandia.com/new-zealand/auckland/papakura/“ http://www.maplandia.com/images/icon.gif”

Background:

West Papakura is a economically deprived area populated by indigenous maori, pacific island, and migrant groups. It has recently warranted special focus by police and civic authorities due to high rates of criminal activity (drug houses and labs, gang violence, truancy, tagging, theft etc). Initial entry into the area came via the local community constable who needed some community development consultation and expertise. He and his colleagues had initiated the Awhiwraparound Project, an experimental initiative where 11 streets in a square block are given a dedicated police presence and community centre.

In this socially deprived area the physical, digital and imaginal realms have been deactivated and disconnected. There are large tracts of land that are underutilised and abandoned: A set of 6 netball courts that have not been used for ten years, and TeKoiwi Park which is an ancient spring/swamp with a foreboding atmosphere. Access to the virtual world is challenging, and not widespread.

Discovering Awhi

While working on the Awhiwraparound project it became clear that a parallel world existed waiting to be uncovered. We named this alternate reality Awhiworld, with 'awhi' meaning 'embrace' in Maori.