A very long but very rewarding process.  This Papakāinga is the largest we have had the honour of being part of – a twenty house development adjacent to Te Āwhina Marae.  Words are not enough to describe this project in progress, and all the ways it has influenced our practice.  Several families are already living in completed homes with the blessing of these homes and handing over of keys a great moment.  Remaining homes are near completion, thank you SCOTTS CONSTRUCTION, with Kaumatua set to move into those set aside for them. 

A communal building and outdoor space compete with playground and basketball court is an exciting part of the Papakāinga; we envisage many special times to come and the creation of precious memories in this space.  With plenty of green spaces and native plantings this project rejects the idea that we need to squeeze as many houses and people into a space as possible.  The definition of Papakainga is a ‘nurturing place to return to’ and we believe this has been (is being) achieved at Te Āwhina.  Thank you to the wider team – we will not name you all – but this project has most certainly been a team one.