Te Wharekura o Nga Purapura o Te Aroha

About Te Wharekura o Nga Purapura o Te Aroha

Te Wharekura o Nga Purapura o Te Aroha, located along the Manipoko stream in Te Awamutu, is a Māori-medium school for years 1-13. The design arranges 120 learners under a single pitched roof, with a symbolic serpentine river delineating circulation and creating central breakout rooms that separate junior and senior students. The spaces are fluid, with low-lying storage cabinetry and Waka-shaped tables providing light separation.

Adjacent to the main building is a multipurpose hall and technology space, supported by steel trussed beams and columns known as the four Pou – Poumua, Potahuhu, Poutokomanawa, and Poutuarongo. These elements symbolize stability and kaupapa, enhancing the learning environment.

The new wharekura includes open-plan wings for juniors and seniors, a gymnasium, a food-tech room, a music room, recording studio, science lab, an art room, breakout rooms for independent learning, an English learning classroom, sick bay, and an outdoor sports court.