Western Springs College is located within one of Auckland’s most significant aquifer catchment zones and above a basalt lava flow that extends 2km out into the Waitematā Harbour forming Te Tokaroa or Meola Reef. It is also bordered by Waititiko (Meola) and Waiateao (Motions) Creeks and is an area of ecological and cultural significance to Māori as a mahinga kai site (a traditional place of food gathering). 

With landfill by-products leaching into these precious waterways, the potential for contributing to a process of remediation and regeneration was prioritised by the Ministry of Education and budgeted as a critical aspect of the project. 34,000m³ of toxic landfill was removed and replaced with ​‘clean’ fill. This commitment reflected the importance of the site and the school to the community, as well as the long-term concern of iwi over the degradation of the whenua and wai.

It was key that the design was uniquely linked to its place, therefore opportunities were identified to convey the cultural significance and history of the site. Themes embracing stories of place were developed, including the history of Meola Reef, the tuna (eels) endemic to Western Springs, and the imperative for regeneration and guardianship of the local ecology. 

Artist Graham Tipene was commissioned to design the eel pattern in the feature concrete precast panels and the poutama pattern represented in the landscape paving and Main Block’s external shade fins. The Waharoa was carved by Sunnah Thompson, and carvers from Te Puia (New Zealand Maori Arts & Craft Institute) created the two pou representative of the two schools on site working in partnership.