Te Pūtahi Māori ō Manurewa is a purpose-built Kura Kaupapa Māori (Māori immersion school) developed under a traditional NZS3910 contract on a 50,300m² site. The new facility brings together two kura – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ō Manurewa (Years 1 – 8) and Te Wharekura ō Manurewa (Years 9 – 13) – previously operating from prefabs behind Manurewa Marae. The 3,000m² ground floor and 1,600m² mezzanine house a wide range of learning spaces, including a gym, food tech kitchen, hard tech workshop, science and art rooms, and a dramatic atrium with bleacher seating.
The building design reflects the surrounding whenua, with bespoke precast panels, American Ash timber joinery, and Heradesign acoustic ceilings. Integrated indoor-outdoor learning areas were a key design feature. The project overcame significant challenges, including complex structural sequencing, weather delays, cultural design negotiations with multiple iwi, and late-stage council drainage changes. Despite this, the project was completed on time, with deep appreciation expressed at handover by the kura community.
