Tour of Ngā Mokopuna
Student ambassador Emma Madsen takes us on a tour of Ngā Mokopuna and shares her experience exploring and learning about this living building on campus.
Join Emma on a tour of Ngā Mokopuna
An aspiring living building
From the outside, it looks like any other building. However, once inside, the aromatic scent of wood and the brightness of open spaces greet you. Ngā Mokopuna means ‘descendants’ and demonstrates the University’s commitment to future generations. Anyone can book a tour of this newly opened building. Attending the tour gave me insights to understand not only how it was built, but also its significance for the University, the city of Wellington, and the future.
The guide told us how the building is unique due to two features. First, by being alongside a marae – which is a sacred Māori communal gathering place. Second, the actual building methodology follows a ‘living’ standard – which is at the very top of sustainable building practices.
The tour takes you through multiple levels of the building and allows a closer look at thoughtful design details and sustainable living practices. There are only around 35 different ‘living’ buildings in the world – and this is one of the only set in an urban environment. The building needs to track its performance data as it maintains 12 months of occupancy to reach official ‘living certification’. For Ngā Mokopuna, being a ‘living building’ means it is designed to be completely self-sufficient. Our guide shared that, depending on the time of year, it even produces excess energy – which is given to nearby university buildings. In addition, all materials for the building had to be sourced locally.
To tie into the importance of supporting our local community, even the designer, David Hakaraia, is a lecturer at the School of Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University. Our guide pointed out intricate details such as green motifs along all the windows of the rooms, not only allowing for more sunlight to pass through but telling the story of the famous demigod Maui. Encouraging students to innovate, be daring, and to ask questions – just as Maui would.
The guide also mentioned, that in the future, more art installations and taonga (treasures) will be displayed throughout the building with QR codes to learn about their background.
What stood out to me the most during the tour was Te Herenga Waka University’s courage in tackling such a challenge, working to create a forward-looking and self-sufficient gathering place.
If you are interested in learning more about Māori culture or values of sustainability from a knowledgeable guide, please do yourself the favor and visit this aspiring living building. The evident dedication that went into its design, construction, and now continued care will inspire you.
Visit the University’s Ngā Mokopuna page to find out more.
Written by: Emma Madsen (USA), Master of Global Business