| 115 Naenae College New building, new era for college The new administration block, Te Arataki, officially opened last year, setting the stage for a modern learning environment to serve the school community well into the future. T T Bernadette Cooney “It’s a place where students can be welcomed formally, but it’s also somewhere they can enjoy during the school day. The new landscape makes the entrance more functional and welcoming for everyone.” COMMUNITY A cornerstone of its community for over 70 years, Naenae College in Lower Hutt has celebrated the opening of its new administration block, the centrepiece of capital works that will transform the college, with a comprehensive re-roofing project included. With a current roll of 850 students representing over 40 nationalities, the school is a hub of diversity. Setting the stage for a modern learning environment to serve the school community well into the future, the new administration block, Te Arataki, officially opened in Term 3 last year. This replaced the outdated and unsafe previous block, described by principal Chris Taylor as “beyond its useful life”. “The old block had leaking ceilings, power outages, and was no longer fit for purpose,” he says. “This new facility provides a modern, functional space that reflects the vibrant future of our school.” Te Arataki’s construction was a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the school. While the ministry funded essential roofing repairs, additional funds sourced from the sale of a school-owned property allowed for a complete internal redesign and refit. This included the addition of a new disability bathroom and improved access points, ensuring inclusivity for all students. Project managers on the new administration block were I.R Group, and the main contractors were PB & J Builders. “They’re local builders,” says Chris, “In fact the company owner, Danny, is an ex-student of the college. So, it was nice to have that personal connection to the space.” The redevelopments extend beyond the admin block, with Sierra Delta working with Landscape Collective in reshaping the school’s front entrance to create an inviting and functional space that connects the admin block with Te Whānau Tahi Marae. The design incorporates an amphitheatre-style area, complete with seating, rain gardens, and fruit trees. “It’s a place where students can be welcomed formally, but it’s also somewhere they can enjoy during the school day. The new landscape makes the entrance more functional and welcoming for everyone,” Chris says. From enhanced safety and accessibility to improved aesthetics and functionality, these projects mark a new era for Naenae College. To improve way-finding, Landmark Signs is updating signage across the campus, ensuring visitors can navigate the school with ease. Another ambitious undertaking is the ongoing $5million re-roofing project, which involves nearly the entire school. Divided into stages, the re-roof of the gymnasium and technology block took place over the summer school holidays. The re-roofing will likely extend into 2026, dependent on seismic strengthening of two main buildings. The school’s marae, Te Whare Tapu Whā, is also slated for a re-roof and bathroom upgrade later this year. Although not ministry-funded, the project will utilise surplus funds from the property sale. The new capital works follow on from the construction of its state-of-the-art music block, Te Ha Puoro, completed in 2018. This contains two classrooms, a recording studio, practice rooms and storage areas. “It’s an exciting time for the college. These upgrades make the buildings safe and fit for purpose, providing the quality resources our students deserve,” says Chris. OUR CAPABILITIES & EXPERIENCE: ∙ Public and government construction projects ∙ Large scale complex commercial construction ∙ Specialist concrete work ∙ Seismic structural strengthening At PBJ, we are dedicated to the craft of building. Our focus is simple; build to the highest standards and quality of any construction business in New Zealand. Our commitment to delivering exceptional results is at the heart of everything we do. pbj.co.nz | admin@pbj.co.nz
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