Auckland, 13 June 2025: Te Hurihanga Ō Rangatahi – the Youth Hub – received the Warren and Mahoney Civic, Health and Arts Property Award tonight at the 35th Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards.
The Youth Hub is an integrated, multi-use facility where local rangatahi can access health, education, and social support alongside supported housing.
A recent study by UNICEF highlighted the challenges facing youth, ranking New Zealand the lowest (in 36th place out of 36 countries) for mental wellbeing. Bullying, mental health and depression and feelings of loneliness are top of the list. And often, these are exacerbated by a lack of access to support.
The intention of the Hub is to address this.
It provides accommodation for up to 22 young people (ages 16 – 24) who require temporary housing. Each unit has its own ensuite bathroom and study space. With shared kitchen, dining, laundry and living facilities. The grounds also include an outdoor activities courtyard with a half-court basketball court and a rooftop terrace. Construction of an events space is currently underway
In addition, the facilities provide for mental health, medical and educational services and employment and training opportunities. Te Tahi Youth, Voyce Whakarongo Mai and Youthline among others have taken offices in the Hub providing immediate care and access to local youth.
“A good building should be designed around the people who use it,” said chief judge Andy Evans. “What we are seeing here is that this carefully and thoughtfully crafted space has all the required elements to make the Hub a hardworking and fit-for purpose space to address the needs of the youth that it serves.
“The Hub is a home for its residents. It’s a place to learn, to talk to people, to make connections and to build community.”
Located on Sailsbury Street in Christchurch the facility showcases innovation in both architectural design and construction methodology with engineered timber a key material choice, reducing embodied carbon while providing a warm, natural aesthetic aligned with the project’s social values. Energy-efficient glazing, high-performance insulation, and building services were designed with future adaptability in mind and the seismic performance of the structure incorporates resilience-focused engineering solutions to ensure longevity.
The use of Māori cultural elements throughout the facility fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity, and the Youth Hub delivers exceptional value both in terms of its financial investment and its social impact. In addition, many local businesses were involved in the construction, providing free products and materials.
“The research shows us that many of our youth are struggling. Projects like the Youth Hub are going a long way to help our rangatahi to get back on their feet as they re-establish themselves and rise to their full potential,” concluded Evans.
Warren and Mahoney Civic, Health and Arts Property Award
Best in Category: Te Hurihanga Ō Rangatahi – The Youth Hub
- Address: 109 Sailsbury Street, Christchurch
- Owner/developer: The Youth Hub Trust
- Construction: Naylor Love
- Architect: Field Studio Architects
- Structural engineer: Lewis Bradford and Associates
- Service engineer: Powell Fenwick Consultants
- Quantity surveyor: Rhodes & Associates
- Project manager: One Four
OTHER WINNERS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDED:
Excellence:
- Ormiston Hospital Stage 1 Expansion, Auckland
- SeaLink Wynyard Ferry Terminal, Auckland
- Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui
Merit:
- Gisborne Māori Land Court, Gisborne
- Metropolitan Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Wellington
- Papa Hou, Christchurch
- Te Kupenga o Rongomai: Maidstone Sports Hub, Upper Hutt
ENDS