Ngā Mokopuna (The Living Pā)

Nomination statement

Ngā Mokopuna stands proudly as the gateway to Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University’s Māori Studies department and historic Marae. Designed to achieve the rigorous Living Building Challenge Certification, the project sets a new benchmark for sustainable design within Aotearoa’s Institutional and Commercial landscapes, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable within truly environmentally conscious design. Grounded in Te Ao Māori values, the project’s kaupapa (purpose) is to uplift Mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) and Kaitiakitanga (guardianship), demonstrating the University’s commitment to the future wellbeing of people and whenua. Wraight + Associates (WA) together with Tennent Brown Architects and a team of experienced consultants, successfully delivered on project aspirations to create a self-sufficient complex that is net positive in its environmental impact. An extension of the existing Kelburn campus Ngā Mokopuna is a ‘living lab’ in which the new landscape supports Rākau Rongoā (plant medicine) and Tikanga Māori (customary principles) learning, facilitating on site teaching and providing a forum in which traditional plant use and urban agriculture come together and are shared with the broader university community. Ngā Mokopuna has become integral to Te Herenga Waka – The University of Wellington operations, amplifying the mana of the culturally significant marae while signifying the University’s commitment to climate action and planning for future generations. This project is now an exemplar in world leading sustainability standards as it nears completion of the Living Building Challenge Certification process.