Te Aka Mauri - Children's Library and Health Hub

The former Rotorua City Library faced significant challenges, such as severe water leakage and  seismic strengthening issues. The Lakes District Health Board grappled delivering children’s health services due to a fragmented multi-site approach, resulting in high rates of missed follow-up appointments. Evidently, a pressing need emerged for a new, purpose-built facility to effectively tackle these concerns and create an inviting, secure haven for children and their Whānau.

The redeveloped Rotorua Library has been transformed into a vibrant knowledge hub and children’s health centre, showcasing a collaborative approach to the community’s holistic health and wellbeing. The Te Aka Mauri Library and Children’s Health Hub provides an inclusive one-stop hub for learning, knowledge, inspiration, health and wellbeing.

The remodelling of the existing 6,000m² library was centered around creating space for a new children’s health facility, including mental health services, community meeting spaces, a parents’ room and multi-sensory digitised spaces. The refurbishment aimed to reflect the community’s identity, highlighting culturally and spiritually appropriate Māori designs that celebrate Te Arawa’s and Rotorua’s unique identities.

Guided by Nga Mahinga Toi’s expertise on Mātauranga Māori (Māori World View), the refurbishment used unique colours and patterns for each floor, adding cultural richness throughout the building. The vibrant colours transformed the interior, creating a child and family-friendly environment that draws people deep into the building. Warm timbers and modern aluminium trims contrasted with fresh whites and bright feature walls, creating a clean, modern feeling in what was previously a dated and cluttered space. Simple shaped furniture with solid hues introduced bright pops of colour into the space.

Te Aka Mauri is a collaborative approach to the community’s holistic health and wellbeing. Its modern and fresh design aims to positively impact the attendance of children and youth, inspiring and bringing joy to the community.

This facility has garnered international attention from librarians and health administrators globally. Since opening, the library use and DHB children’s attendance rates have continually increased, which is a testament to the project’s success.