Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whangaroa

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Whangaroa, a Maori immersion school in Matauri Bay, Northland, has achieved a 5 Green Star Education Built rating for stage two of its build, signifying ‘New Zealand excellence’. (Stage one achieved a 5 Green Star Design rating.) The project is owned by the Ministry of Education; the architect was Adams De La Mare and the contractor was Signature Homes. Stage two consists of two single-storey buildings connected by a covered open space, and incorporates four classrooms, a teaching common, a food technology suite, art room and a multipurpose hall/gymnasium. Sustainability features include: energy and water metering, to encourage efficiency and teach students about energy and water conservation; a design maximising natural daylight; low-VOC carpets, paints, ceiling tiles and other materials to reduce airborne pollutants and create a healthier indoor environment; good insulation to reduce the need for heating.