Te Kura o Te Whānau a Apanui

Cultural learning hub

Overview

As Mana Whenua, we served as cultural advisors and designers to reimagine a rural kura as a cultural and learning hub grounded in Te Whānau a Apanui identity, integrating Mātauranga Māori and ancestral narratives across architecture, curriculum, and artworks.

Approach

We led co‑design with iwi and community, translating tribal narratives into an architectural pattern language and orienting buildings to significant sites across maunga and moana. The design preserved key hapū carvings, embedded wayfinding and material cues, and supported place‑based learning through landscape and spatial strategy.

Outcomes

A culturally grounded kura that celebrates iwi identity—preserving five original poupou and revitalising narratives through integrated design—strengthening community pride and student engagement, and setting a benchmark for culturally led, sustainable education.