Te Āhuru Mōwai Townhouses | Whanga
Whanga marks the beginning of a long term partnership between First Light Studio and Te Āhuru Mōwai, formally established in 2023. The first seven homes delivered here form part of a broader programme of more than 50 new dwellings spanning Wellington, Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast. Together, they support Te Āhuru Mōwai’s role as the largest Māori owned and operated community housing provider in Aotearoa, addressing an inherited portfolio of more than 900 homes, the majority of which were previously assessed as being in poor condition.
-
Built: 2025
Client: Te Āhuru Mōwai
Project Manager: dwell. Project Management
Builder: Duncan Construction
Images: David Hensel PhotographyEstablished in 2020 by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira in partnership with the Crown, Te Āhuru Mōwai manages over 950 homes across Western Porirua and surrounding suburbs. Its kaupapa is centred on delivering warm, dry and affordable homes while contributing to improved wellbeing outcomes for whānau. The name Te Āhuru Mōwai, meaning a sheltering haven, speaks to housing as a foundation for security, growth and independence.
The Whanga Crescent homes are informed by Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model of health, recognising that wellbeing encompasses taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha wairua and taha whānau, grounded in whenua. The project aligns with Te Āhuru Mōwai’s award winning vision framework developed by Isthmus, embedding cultural values and measurable social outcomes within the architecture.
Working closely with Te Āhuru Mōwai, First Light Studio developed a systemised housing approach that enables efficient and repeatable delivery across multiple sites throughout Aotearoa. The typologies range from one to five bedrooms, supporting diverse household structures and multi generational living. Several layouts include accessible ground floor kaumātua suites, ensuring elders can remain connected to whānau while allowing homes to adapt over time.
Whanga Crescent demonstrates how scalable design, cultural leadership and long term partnership can deliver more than dwellings. It establishes a practical and values led framework for creating healthy homes of choice and strengthening communities.
