Pūkenga Rau – A Place of Skill, Growth, and Community

Pūkenga Rau

Pūkenga Rau is a purpose-built trades training centre located in Tokoroa, established to empower the people of South Waikato through vocational education and skills development. Opened in November 2023, the facility was created to address local workforce needs and to support the region’s economic and social aspirations.

The Story behind the Design

Rau Papa was inspired by the name Pūkenga Rau, by Raukawa representatives, given to the newly established Trades Training Centre in Tokoroa.

Rau Papa speaks to the whakapapa of the land on which Pūkenga Rau stands, the whakapapa of ahikaa and kaitiaki of the land, as well as the residents of the communities occupying the land.

Finally, Rau Papa speaks to the aspiration of continued growth and strength of whakapapa well-being and abundance of the South Waikato community, with the support and guidance of positive initiatives like SWIFT that encourage the attainment of higher learning

The Story behind the Design

The design of Rau Papa represents:

The whakapapa of mana whenua,
The whakapapa of ahikā and the diverse kaitiaki of the land,
And finally, Rau Papa represents the aspiration of continued growth and strength of whakapapa, well-being and abundance of the South Waikato community.