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Education Centre building update

2 September 2022

PAUA Architects Ltd impression of what the new Education Centre will look like when completed. 

The new Education Centre sited between the Manu Tioriori Visitor Centre and the Tautari Wetland area is now well underway, with stage one of the build on track for completion near the end of 2022. Readers may recall seeing plans for a centre back in December 2016. Since that time a great deal of planning and fundraising has been needed and there is much anticipation for its completion. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has secured funding for the carpark, toilets, and stage 1 of the facility build with PAUA Architects and ASAP contracting.

When completed, the centre will act as a base for the many different education groups who visit the maunga. It will be available to schools, tertiary groups, community groups, and anyone who is taking part in our Conservation Education Programme. The centre will also allow school groups to do activities that typically would be weather dependent.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari offers people of all ages the opportunity to learn about the New Zealand environment and the flora and fauna which makes it unique. Here visitors, can develop a deeper understanding of conservation in New Zealand and learn about the methods that have been used to keep the sanctuary pest-free. In essence, the hope is to inspire others to look in their own backyards and work towards protecting the many precious environments found worldwide.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari would like to thank MBIE, Trust Waikato, Lotteries Environment and Heritage fund, Waipa District Council, Transpower and our wonderful community for their amazing support. As Phil has reported we were also excited to include a special announcement during our Mauri of the Maunga Gala Dinner & Auction for kākāpō, that Profile Group Ltd. has committed to becoming the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Education Centre naming rights partner for three years.