Te Tuahu Ki Taahuna (The Ancestors of Pokimi) is an innovative educational facility in Rahotu, New Zealand, designed to honour the Pokimi marae (meeting house) that once stood on the selected site. This architectural project integrates Māori traditions with education, reflecting the land’s cultural heritage and its people.

Positioned as a transitional space between high school and employment, the facility offers farming, crop cultivation, dairy, and timber trade programs. Flexible, informal learning environments support these hands-on experiences that merge theoretical knowledge with practical agricultural practice. Through this facility, students are allowed to explore diverse career pathways, avoiding the limitations of committing to a singular position and instead embracing the flexibility to choose their future direction.

Grounded in local cultural significance, Te Tuahu Ki Taahuna promotes community collaboration and bolsters the resilience of rural farming communities. It sets a new standard for adaptive educational spaces supporting diverse learning styles, ensuring retention of knowledge and preparing students for careers in rural industries. This project reflects how architecture can serve as a vessel for cultural preservation while advancing practical learning in rural New Zealand.