Located in Eastern Porirua, the first Our Whare Our Fale Mua I Malae reimagines the Pacific village in Aotearoa, transforming life outcomes for Pasefika communities. At its heart is the malae and the fale, which anchor 18 intergenerational, affordable, and sustainable homes delivered by Central Pacific Collective in partnership with Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
Mua I Malae is a collection of 18 affordable, intergenerational homes that embody Pasefika identity, nurture wellbeing, and restore dignity through community-led housing. The village is a conventional housing model that centres cultural narratives as the foundation of place.
First Light Studio worked alongside Central Pacific Collective to translate this vision into an affordable, buildable, and high-performing architectural outcome, providing technical and environmental sustainability expertise throughout the design process. The homes were delivered by local Pasefika builders, creating employment opportunities across the region, with high-quality construction led by South Coast Construction.
The central malae and common fale reflect the principle of Anoafale, placing people and relationships at the heart of the development. They support Pacific community life through ceremony, gathering, and daily connection. Located centrally, they anchor the block, with homes arranged around the edges and oriented inward to reinforce connection to the centre, while maintaining a clear relationship to the street.
The Paongo Family’s Journey
“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. These are the songs we wish to share with our Pasefika families, with the importance of putting God first.”
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