To understand community aspirations, the design team also worked closely with Park Estate School, which eventually moved into the new Mangapikopiko School, hosting staff, akonga (students) and interested locals within the Jasmax studio. Welcoming whānau into the educational experience, connection to the natural world, opportunities for sport and outdoor learning and a strong sense of cultural identity were key.

The design supports contemporary pedagogy, housing flexible Innovative Learning Environments (ILEs), able to be modified in the future. The completed stage one programmes include two-storey teaching and learning blocks with generous outdoor covered spaces, a playground, and sports fields. A separate administrative block acts as the front door, including a library, wellness room and staff facilities. Each has a multi-purpose hall. At Ngākōroa school, a maker space and technical learning facility, the Whare Auaha (House of Creating), extends learning experiences. In addition, Jasmax designed a separate two-classroom teaching unit for Parkside Specialist School, which caters for students requiring special assistance in their education, completing the unique combination of learning amenities on the site. 

Consultation with Ben Leonard (Mangapikopiko School) Maaka Potini (Ngākōroa School) of Ngāti Tamaoho shaped the design team’s understanding of the importance of the area as a place of sustenance and abundance to mana whenua. Historically, the nearby Manukau Harbour and its tributaries, including Ngākōroa stream, provided sources of food and a means of connection to other regions, sustaining life and connectivity. Jasmax’s Waka Māia team played a key role in articulating the narratives that were shared, shaping many of the decorative elements of both schools.