O¯ taki campus takes up the challenge
Te Wānanga o Raukawa has joined The Living Building Challenge, aligning with its plans to redevelop the O¯ taki campus.
Diggers, dump trucks and graders have been preparing ground for new construction work to take place at the campus.
The overall plan is to redevelop the site to be environmentally friendly in accordance with the seven performance areas of The Living Building Challenge — site, water, energy, health, materials, equity, and beauty.
The project will be monitored during and after construction, and then the carbon performance will be measured for a year following occupation of the buildings.
Data and evidence of the work will be collected and shared with the International Living Future Institute who operate The Living Building Challenge.
The International Living Future Institute promote themselves as a global nonprofit organisation that inspires the greenest buildings for a healthy world.
The Institute’s mission is to advance communities that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative.
The tumuaki (chief executive) of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Mereana Selby, said deciding to be part of the challenge was a no-brainer.
“It was an easy decision to make because it fits with our kaupapa (values), particularly with kaitiakitanga (stewardship).
“We look forward to the day when the standards of The Living Building Challenge become the norm for all new builds.”
The main contractors for the project are McMillan Lockwood and Pritchards Civil Engineers.
Part of the construction tender criteria included employing local people, and contributing to the Māori economy.
They were also the contractors for the construction of Te Ara a Tāwhaki, currently the newest building on campus housing the library, a lecture theatre and the student hub.
The induction training for the contractors included the kaupapa of Te Wānanga o Raukawa and pleasing to see was their appreciation of these and the benefits they bring to the project.
In phase one, four new buildings, a car park and a courtyard will be built.
One building is for management and administration staff, and the others will have classrooms and offices for teaching personnel.
The campus will become pedestrianised, with a student centric central courtyard encouraging walking, cycling and other such modes of movement.
The newer part of campus will produce 105 per cent of daily energy needs via solar power.
It will capture rainwater for all potable and non-potable needs, treat sewage on site, and have extensive planting of rongoa¯ (medicinal native flora) and hua rākau (fruit trees).
The result will be a purpose-built carbon positive site with green, resilient, and healthy buildings.
The expectations are that the monetary costs to maintain the grounds and buildings will reduce significantly.
People will find the buildings and grounds beautiful and conducive to their creativity and wellbeing.
The whole design is an expression of kaitiakitanga.
There are currently 115 certified projects under way around the world. Completion of phase one is due around March 2023.
Phase two is envisaged to begin in 2025.
About Te Wānanga o Raukawa
Te Wānanga o Raukawa is a unique centre of higher learning devoted to the world of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge).
Its main campus is in Otaki. More than just educating people, the centre desires to produce outstanding and sought-after graduates who are Māori in the way they think, act and behave while also having the technical skills and qualifications they need to grow, inspire and uplift their whānau, hapū and iwi.
Visit www.wananga.com to learn more.