A Pasefika-led housing development in eastern Porirua, Wellington has been recognised at the 2026 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) National Architecture Awards.
The Central Pacific Collective & transformative development, Our Whare Our Fale (OWOF) took out the Housing – Multi Unit category in association with architecture firm First Light Studio.
The award recognised their focus to reimagine the Pacific village concept through affordable, intergenerational homeownership centred on community, culture and belonging.
The national judging panel described OWOF as “an exemplar for affordable housing in urban Aotearoa. Planned around a malae and common fale, the masterplan places people and community first, strengthening a sense of belonging and helping neighbours look out for one another.”
It said OWOF’s design instils a shared sense of ownership and that the project was
“architecture as genuine community benefit.”
The first stage of OWOF delivered 18 affordable homes arranged around that central malae and common fale, creating spaces for gathering, connection and everyday village life. Another 32 homes are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
Central Pacific Collective Chief Executive Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira said the recognition was significant not only for the project itself, but for what it represented.
“This award is powerful validation that a housing model designed by Pasefika, for Pasefika, belongs in the mainstream of New Zealand architecture,” he says.
“Our goal was not to win awards. We set out to create homes where our people could thrive and where the community sat at the centre of the design.”
Fa’amatuainu says CPC’s focus remains firmly on creating pathways to homeownership for Pasefika families and creating opportunities for generations to come.
