Wiri Central School
Media Release
21 March 2005
Prime Minister To Open New Community Learning Centre
A four year project to improve access to community learning programmes for the residents of Wiri in central Manukau
comes to fruition tomorrow when the Prime Minister the Hon. Helen Clark opens Te Puna o Wiri at Wiri Central School.
Te Puna o Wiri was established to encourage participation by and remove the barriers to learning for the people of
Wiri/Rata Vine, one of Manukau’s lower social economic areas.
Te Puna means “the spring” in Maori, Cook Island Maori, Tongan and Samoan. It was designed by Waitakere Architects to
reflect the learning journey. The diagonal spine of Te Puna divides the building into public and private areas for
learning, while the ceiling structures in the atrium represent the waka in the sense that ‘we row together in learning’.
Principal of Wiri Central School, Carol Mollard is proud of the new $1.4 million facility at the school. The aim was to
develop a facility which would encourage not only students but their parents and the local community to develop
life-long learning skills.
“The magnificent resources provided in the new computer suite, library, theatre, and conference, media and food
technology rooms give the community access to modern facilities and the latest equipment. I would also like to
acknowledge the support of our generous sponsors,” says Ms Mollard. (List of sponsors is attached)
To find out more about the learning programmes at Te Puna o Wiri or to enquire about hiring their facilities contact:
Te Puna o Wiri
Wiri Central School
ENDS
Sponsors:
- The ASB Charitable Trust
- Ministry of Education - SPG Fund
- Property for the Future Fund
- Trillian Trust Inc.
- Scottwood Trust Manukau
- The TC Trust
- Frucor Beverages
- Manurewa Community Board
- The Lion Foundation
- Wiri Licencing Trust
- Community Grants Foundation
- Pacific Sports and Community Trust
- Air Rescue Foundation
- Southern Trust
- South Auckland Charitable Trust
- Pub Charity