Silicon Valley had garages. South Auckland has Te Ngahere.
Manukau is one of the youngest communities in Aotearoa:
Young, diverse, hungry.
Māori, Pasifika, migrant whānau.
People who build businesses because they have to.
And now there’s a place for that energy to gather.
Globally, startups are moving into shared spaces —because innovation happens when people collide.
When you walk into Te Ngahere, the first thing you touch is made from 100% recycled plastic.
They used Critical. Cleanstone for the reception counter. And the kitchen island cladding — the vertical face everyone leans on.
There’s something poetic about that. South Auckland has been underestimated. So has plastic waste. Both full of potential.
If Manukau is going to be the next startup frontier. the materials need to reflect that future.
If you’re designing the next co-workspace —
don’t just make it look good. Make it stand for something.
If you're working on a co-work space and are looking for materials that will help you standout, jump on cleanstone.criticaldesign.nz and I can send you samples.
Shot Manawa Udy, TOA Architects and the Te Ngahere whānau for your awesome creative vision.