Description:

Te Tuahu Ki Taahuna seeks to transform how rural education is delivered by aligning architectural design with culturally grounded, community-responsive pedagogy. Rooted in Rahotu, Taranaki, a region with deep agricultural roots and rich Māori heritage, this project addresses the disconnect many rural learners face between conventional schooling and the skills required for local employment. In response, the facility positions itself as a transitional space between high school and the workforce, encouraging engagement through hands-on learning embedded in students’ lived realities.
Driven by client objectives to strengthen rural education pathways, this project draws on Legitimate Peripheral Participation (LPP), flexible learning theory, and situated learning practices. Its programs in farming, crop cultivation, dairy, timber trades, and nutrition are intentionally immersive giving students practical exposure while nurturing respect for the land and local knowledge systems. The informal, flexible learning environments are designed to adapt to different learning styles, encouraging agency, confidence, and curiosity.

Importantly, the architectural form honors the legacy of the Pokimi marae once located on the site, merging cultural continuity with educational innovation. This acts not only as a vessel for storytelling and cultural preservation, but as a catalyst for social resilience and transformational change. By enabling students to explore multiple career pathways without early specialisation, the project supports long-term growth, sustainability, and community development setting a benchmark for how architecture can respond to both educational inequities and cultural specificity in rural Aotearoa.