Sustainability the cornerstone for new Tuhoe headquarters

Hundreds turned out over the weekend for the opening of Tuhoe’s new eco-friendly cultural headquarters in the Bay of Plenty township of Taneatua.

The building, called Te Uru Taumatua, represents a vision of sustainability for Tuhoe and was designed to be the most advanced living building in New Zealand.

Chief Tuhoe negotiator Tamati Kruger described the building as representing Tuhoe’s commitment to sustainable living.

“This building is Tuhoe saying to themselves, first of all, and to others that we value Papatuanuku (the earth) and Rangi (the sky),” said Mr Kruger.

“We think the environment must be a place we look after and it will reciprocate to us.”

Te Uru Taumatua was constructed according to the guidelines of the Living Building Challenge and incorporates green, efficient ways to regulate interior temperature, deal with greywater and produce energy.

The buildings stone floor and clay-brick interior walls are designed to trap heat during the day and expel it at night.

It has its own water supply and flushes any greywater through a simulated wetland system that filters and cleanses it.

And the roof is covered with 240 solar panels that generate all the power the building needs.

Any excess power is sold to the public grid, with Tuhoe being able to buy it back if solar production is short.

This will ensure Te Uru Taumatua uses all its generated energy and creates zero net waste.

At a cost of $15 million there has been criticism the money would have been better spent on housing in the region.

Tamati Kruger said it came down to a choice of either continuing with slogans around mana motuhake (self sufficiency) or taking action to prove belief in the things Tuhoe value.

“The building is a symbol of wanting to leave behind the hurt, the anger of the last 170 years,” said Mr Kruger.

“To turn a corner and look forward to a better future. To leave a legacy of optimism and hope for the young people.”