Waiaroha brings awareness to one of our most vital resources — wai — and embodies the kōrero: he pūkenga wai, he huinga tangata, he whakawhitinga. Where water flows, people gather, water connects us all. Located at the heart of Heretaunga Hastings between its braided rivers, Waiaroha invites the community to engage with the journey and whakapapa of water — ki uta, ki tai — from the mountains to the sea. From the reservoirs, which stand as symbolic landmarks, to the education centre inspired by the forests of Tāne, each element reflects the mauri and practical significance of water. Through the integration of infrastructure, storytelling, and landscape, Waiaroha redefines public architecture as a whole environment and a place of understanding and celebration, honouring wai as taonga and safeguarding the gift of safe drinking water for generations to come.