| 17 T T Kim Newth University building scoops top award The mass timber facility (3000sqm) integrates matauranga Māori with leading sustainability principles. Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington: Ngā Mokopuna REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT One of New Zealand’s most ambitious sustainable buildings, Ngā Mokopuna, The Living Building at Te Herenga Waka -Victoria University of Wellington, is in the spotlight after winning a top accolade at the 2025 NZ Commercial Project of the Year competition. Builders LT McGuinness Wellington won a Supreme Award over $10 Million for the inspirational low-carbon, self-sufficient building, designed by Tennent Brown Architects. The award judges congratulated LT McGuinness Wellington and all project partners on an outstanding commercial project that has pushed boundaries across mass timber construction, on-site energy generation, and water-management systems. Ngā Mokopuna is currently going through an audit process to become internationally recognised as a certified Living Building. The mass timber facility (3000sqm) integrates matauranga Māori with leading sustainability principles. It has been designed and built to generate its own electricity, collect rainwater that’s filtered and used again through a grey- water system, manage and treat its own wastewater, and conserve water through use of an innovative vacuum toilet system. Formerly known as the Living Pā, Ngā Mokopuna opened last December to complete Te Herenga Waka Marae, complementing the wharenui, which was established 36 years ago as a haven and a place of learning for Māori students and staff. Sir Hirini Moko Mead gave the wharekai its name in 1981. Referencing care and nourishment of the grandchildren of all iwi, the name lives on in today’s enlarged wharekai, and in the name of this aspirational new building. Also under its roof are events spaces, student study areas, teaching and seminar spaces, the Ngai Tauira Māori Students’ Association, Te Kawa a Māui - School of Māori Studies, the office of the deputy vice-chancellor Māori, the university’s sustainability offices, and various other amenities. Lincoln North, co-project manager for Ngā Mokopuna, says the supreme award accolade is great recognition for the LT McGuinness team, acknowledging their hard work over three years, and the high-quality outcome that has been achieved. “LT McGuinness Wellington was a wonderful collaborator,” says Lincoln. “Their forward-thinking team embraced the challenges that came with this ambitious project, and as a result, advanced their knowledge of mass timber construction. In turn, this has opened up new opportunities in that space.” Waste-minimisation practices during construction meant that 94% of construction waste was diverted from landfill, (contributing to LT McGuinness becoming a Toitū-certified net carbon-zero building contractor). “To get to 40% diversion from landfill is considered an excellent achievement. Reaching 94% is remarkable, a significant jump on industry benchmarks involving so much work on- and off-site,” Lincoln says. Deputy vice-chancellor Māori, Rawinia Higgins, who was influential in the creation of Ngā Mokopuna, drew inspiration from seeing the uplifting impact of New Zealand’s first living building, Te Kura Whare in Bay of Plenty. “She has pushed this building forward as a living exemplar of Māori values and principles.” It has been a seven-year journey for her and the project management team to achieve the vision. Lincoln says people from all over the country have travelled to see the new building. As Ngā Mokopuna takes its place as an inspiring hub for Māori students and staff, the building is also tracking well to achieve Living Building registration in early 2026. Specialists in: Amenity Garden Management Grounds Maintenance Soft Landscaping Arboriculture Garden Design Nationwide NZ owned & operated 0800 227 558 RLB.com Wellington T 04 384 9198 Ngā Mokopuna sets a new benchmark for the education sector where every decision reflects care for the environment, respect for culture and a commitment to long-term value. We’re proud to have supported a project that will inspire generations to come. RLB is proud to provide cost management expertise for Ngā Mokopuna, the winner of the 2025 Resene Sustainable Building Property Award. Facade solution provider to Nga Mokopuna, The Living Pa. Proud to be part of delivering a more sustainable built enviroment for New Zealand. EPDACCREDITED: COMMERCIAL ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION CARBON CERTIFIED
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