The Whakapakari te Kainga Project/Urenui Pā Redevelopment Project is a significant initiative to revitalise and restore the historic Urenui Pā in Taranaki. This comprehensive redevelopment project aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the iwi, enhance community facilities, and promote environmental sustainability.
Te Aroha Re-Build Making Significant Strides
During the past few months’ pivotal moments with the ongoing building development of Te Aroha have yielded major advancements bringing this development much closer to completion. The hard work and dedication of the building teams on-site have resulted in visible and structural progress that enhances both functionality and aesthetics. The addition of skylights and aluminium windows will soon flood the space with natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The interior is still under development, but the transformation is already evident.
Ensuring year-round comfort, high-quality insulation is being installed throughout the building. This upgrade will regulate indoor temperatures, keeping the space warm in winter and cool in summer. On the exterior, timber cladding is set to be installed soon, providing essential protection against the elements and further refining the building’s overall look. Another major milestone includes the completion of the concrete floors in the link building. These surfaces have been ground and polished to create a smooth and resilient finish, adding both durability and aesthetic appeal to the space. Additionally, the removal of the temporary canopy cover has revealed the full scale and presence of the building, offering a clearer vision of the final structure.
Site Accessibility and Sustainability
Beyond the main buildings, improvements in site access and drainage have also been a focus this week. A new pathway leading to the Urupā is under construction, providing a well-defined route for visitors. Furthermore, the newly dug and filled soak hole enhances the site’s sustainability by effectively managing rainwater runoff.
As these projects continue to advance, the transformation of Te Aroha stands as a testament to meticulous planning, dedicated craftsmanship, and a commitment to creating resilient and functional community spaces. With each milestone reached, the completion of these developments draws closer, promising a bright and sustainable future for all who will use and cherish these spaces. At key moments of the project, we’ll be sharding video and photography content to showcase the development of the building project throughout its various stages. We’re also planning a series of more significant documentaries featuring uri and their experiences about the Pā over the next year, so keep an eye out for these.
The completion of our taonga whare is on track for early June 2025. The Whakapakari working committee and contractors are hoping that the Urenui Pā Trustees will be able to open Te Aroha for whanau with a Puanga celebration, hopefully around the weekend of 21 June 2025.