When I look back at the journey that led to the creation of Te Tupu o te Tōrea, I begin at the Alten Road Centre. An old villa nestled among trees, it was warm, welcoming, and homely. Its presence aligned with my pedagogy and reflected what our community valued. Alten Road showed what was possible when care, belonging, and learning intertwined in an environment that truly felt like a home away from home.
When the time came for Alten Road to close and a new service to be designed, I felt both a deep responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity. To be entrusted with creating a new service within Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s early childhood department was both humbling and exciting. I wanted to honour Alten Road’s essence, while also reimagining what an early learning space could be when guided by a strong, culturally respectful narrative.
Walking into Te Tupu o te Tōrea today is like taking a journey through the Waipapa stream and native bush. The design carries tamariki from the sheltered forest into open, light-filled learning spaces that flow towards the shoreline. Along the way, trees and birds woven into the architecture tell stories of resilience, protection, independence, and connection. From the pōhutukawa and tūī, through to the mighty kauri and the watchful ruru, the environment itself is part of the curriculum; supporting tamariki to grow with strength, curiosity, and belonging.
This depth of meaning comes from partnership. Smith Architects and Ngāti Whātua worked alongside us to ensure the centre was not only functional, but also rich in cultural and historical grounding. Ngāti Whātua gifted the service its name, Te Tupu o te Tōrea, inspired by the inquisitive tōrea bird, as well as the names of our two main learning spaces. Te Manawa, the pulse of our whare, is the heart where whānau, kaiako, and tamariki connect in warmth and aroha each day. Te Whanake, our preschool, is a space to grow and thrive, where tamariki take risks, embrace challenges, and prepare for the future. These names give daily learning a deeper narrative of purpose.
Our community spans from pēpi as young as seven months old through to tamariki preparing for kura. Reflecting the university environment that we are part of, Te Tupu o te Tōrea is a true melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, with whānau drawn from across Aotearoa and the world. This diversity enriches the learning environment, weaving global perspectives into a space firmly grounded in local whakapapa and whenua.
Winning the 2025 ECC Dr. Darius Singh Award for Innovation is a powerful acknowledgement of this kaupapa. For me, the true innovation lies not only in the architecture, but in the process: embedding bicultural design from the outset, weaving wellbeing into every decision, and aligning the service with Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s vision of excellence. This project demonstrates what is possible for the ECE sector when cultural narratives and wellbeing are not add-ons, but foundations.
As I reflect, I feel immense pride in the University’s commitment to early childhood services as part of the wider ecosystem supporting students and their whānau, kaiako and tamariki who bring the space to life every day, and the partnerships that made Te Tupu o te Tōrea possible. Te Tupu o te Tōrea is more than a building. It is a taonga with its own identity, a living example of innovation in action, and a reminder of what can be achieved when we design with heart, history, and hope for the future.
