Te whakatuwheratanga

The Living Pā opens

Highlights from te whakatuwheratanga, the ceremony that opened Ngā Mokopuna and reopened Te Tumu Herenga Waka.

At dawn on 6 December 2024—38 years to the day that our whare whakairo was first opened—we ceremonially unveiled our new building, Ngā Mokopuna (formerly the Living Pā). Te whakatuwheratanga also reawakened Te Tumu Herenga Waka, which had been closed during the four years of construction.

For this special occasion we produced a highlights video and a commemorative booklet.

Video—Te Herenga Waka marae reflections

We have created a short video that explores the 'look and feel' of the Living Building™ project. The video highlights the new building's connection to the past, present, and future of the marae. It features close-up clips, architectural details, and stunning mahi toi in Ngā Mokopuna, a historic waiata performed by Ngāi Tauira, and a slideshow celebrating the opening of the wharenui in the 1980s.

Te Whakatuwheratanga commemorative booklet

For this special occasion, we published a short booklet thanking the many kaimahi, whānau, and friends who helped bring the project to life. The two exceptional buildings are described along with an explanation of how the building aspires to meet the Living Building Challenge® standard. The booklet presents information about the rooms and spaces and celebrates the Honorary Doctorates presented to Sir Willian Te Rangiua Temara, KNZM and to Te Ripowai Pauline Higgins, QSM as part of the ceremony.

• pdf3.3MBWhakatuwhereatanga booklet

Read addresses from the day

We were privileged to be addressed by both Professor Tā Hirini Moko Mead, Ahorangi Tuatahi o Te Kawa a Māui—First Professor of Māori Studies, and Tā Pou Temara, KNZM. You can read these and some of the other addresses from the day, here.

• pdf2.5MBAddress: Sir Hirini Moko Mead
• pdf1.2MBAddress: Sir Pou Temara—Honourary Doctorate speech
• pdf2.1MBAddress: Professor Rawinia Higgins—Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Māori

Aspiring to be the first Living Building™ in the capital, Ngā Mokopuna is a vision of sustainability, infused with indigenous wisdom—a place for people to get inspired and be part of a thriving community.