Mīmīru: The application of an endangered indigenous construction practice onto prototype timber portals to assess seismic resilience

This publication presents Mīmīru,  an innovative research project led by Professor Anthony Hōete (School of Architecture and Planning, University of Auckland), that explores the application of the endangered Māori construction technique mīmīru within a contemporary seismic context.  Through a partnership with Ngāti Ira o Waioweka at Ōpeke Marae, the research designed and tested full-scale, post-tensioned timber portals to assess their structural and seismic resilience using both Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and in-field “snap-back” testing.

The report details how traditional Māori knowledge can inform and strengthen modern architectural and engineering practices, particularly in enhancing the disaster preparedness of marae buildings.  By combining indigenous mātauranga with cutting-edge engineering tools, Mīmīru contributes to both cultural revitalisation and national resilience.  This publication documents the full research journey-from concepts to construction and validation-and provides a model for integrating indigenous innovation into Aotearoa’s built environment.

---