HBHS Marae | Waikato Marae Architecture

Hamilton Boys High School Marae

Wharenui & Wharekai

NZIA Waikato BOP Architecture Award 2025 - Education

PAUA Architects were engaged by the HBHS Board of Trustees to design a school marae.

The brief was to provide a new marae complex that the school can be proud of, with integrated learning spaces within the whare. Consultation with the Kiingitanga was instigated by the kura.

The site area is restricted, in the shadow of the 11m high gymnasium building at the west side, and surrounded by the existing rugby fields to the east and south of the site. This leaves little available natural grass atea space to the north.

Working with the traditional form of a marae, and a limited material selection to conform with the school guidelines, we attempted to provide a modern interpretation that pushes the envelope slightly to allow for the accomodation of class room and storage facilities.

The koorero of Taane ascending to the heavens to search for knowledge was the starting point for the design and shape of the wharenui, which has a roofline rising to the north, representing the striving and pushing higher, representative of the school and students’ desire to succeed.

The three pop-outs at each side of the building represent the three baskets of knowledge, and feature a brick pattern articulating the concepts of the three baskets.

Whare Ako Completed 2024

Photography by Aaron Radford, 2024.

NZIA Waikato Bay of Plenty Architecture Award 2025 - Education

Jury Citation

"The Whare Ako is a shining example of a passionate team creating something bigger than themselves throughout a difficult 12-year journey. There is thoughtful interpretation of the idea of a 'marae' as a place for all and many uses.

The poutama pattern, signifying the stairway, where each step represents a level of attainment and the journey towards knowledge and achievement, is repeated in the building fabric, connecting the Whare Ako to the heart of the school.

The Whare Ako embodies inclusiveness, landmarks the school and exudes mana, whilst achieving the practical demands of an intensively used multi-use space."