Napier’s Tamatea School, is committed to enhancing achievement and addressing disparity. When the Ministry of Education embarked on a project to replace their dilapidated buildings that no longer met seismic standards, the School embraced the project as an opportunity to strengthen community ties and instill a sense of pride among students. The school’s brief demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of the local history and a clear vision for the school’s future.  

Our response to the brief endeavoured to reflect the meandering flow of a river, which once ran through the site. This supports the School’s values/virtues which see the students guided in their journeys by Tamatea ArikiNui, Rongokako, and Tamatea Pokai whenua as the waka based on the story of the Takatimu canoe.  The internal spaces were designed to provide a comfortable, light and flexible learning environment, which can adapt to a variety of learning and teaching activities.  

The project encompasses three new teaching blocks, a special needs school, a performing arts facility, and pastoral care /administration building, all unified under the single roof.  Construction was undertaken by Watts & Hughes in two stages to allow the school to operate throughout the duration of the build.  We were privileged to work alongside skilled and committed contractors and consultants to deliver this project on time and on budget.  

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