The Youth Hub Christchurch:
Kahikatea Planter

A living centrepiece for The Youth Hub

At the centre of the Youth Hub’s main atrium, a custom-built planter houses two kahikatea trees and a gifted mauri stone - symbols of life, connection, and spiritual grounding within this unique facility. These elements form the cultural and spiritual heart of the building, reflecting the Youth Hub’s kaupapa of whānau, hauora, and whanaungatanga. Guided by a cultural design framework developed in collaboration with mana whenua and project partners, The Youth Hub was designed to celebrate and embody mātauranga Māori through form and material. At Field Studio, we relished the opportunity to continue this powerful kaupapa throughout the fabric of the building, demonstrated through small projects with big impact like the Kahikatea planter.

Repurposed bricks from the Gracefield Avenue facade and warm kahikatea timber capping provide tactile and meaningful connections to the wider building and landscape. The planter and mauri vessel were developed through digital scanning, 3D printing, and full-scale prototyping - balancing innovation with craft. Though modest in scale, the project required the coordination and expertise of structural engineers, landscape architects, fabricators, and cultural advisors to deliver a piece that anchors the wider space with clarity and intent. 


The kahikatea stands as a symbol of strength and interconnectedness; the mauri stone beneath it pulses with the energy of the building and all who move through it. Together, they invite reflection, grounding, and a sense of belonging.


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