Woods is proud to support the restoration of one of New Zealand’s most significant Māori educational institutions.

Our role

Woods has been working alongside the St Stephen’s Queen Victoria Trust (SSQVT) and alumni to support the school’s reopening through a wide range of services, including planning, surveying, laser scanning, engineering, data analysis, and GIS. Our work focused on assessing key buildings — the Main Administration Block and three dormitories — to understand their structural integrity and service infrastructure, and to help prioritise refurbishment efforts.

Using laser scanning, UAV and terrestrial photogrammetry, our geospatial team digitally captured detailed models of the site, which now serve as an essential foundation for the restoration process. We also carried out ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys to identify and map underground service connections — some of which had lain dormant since the school closed in 2000.

To streamline collaboration and reduce the need for site visits, Woods developed a custom GIS portal that hosts all models, drawings, imagery and documentation — enabling virtual walkthroughs and shared access for stakeholders, regardless of location.

Key challenges

The project faced a range of logistical, technical, and community-related challenges. The school’s remote location in Bombay, an hour from central Auckland, made site access time-consuming and created a need for efficient remote collaboration tools. 

The buildings, while structurally resilient, had sat unused for over two decades and required detailed assessment under modern seismic standards introduced after recent earthquakes. The condition of underground infrastructure was largely unknown, with many services inactive or undocumented since the school’s closure. 

In addition to the physical state of the site, the presence of debris, vandalism, and damage added to the complexity of preparing the campus for safe investigation and repair. 

With limited funding available — largely sourced from alumni donations and housing rental income — all solutions had to be highly cost-conscious. Importantly, the emotional significance of the site to former students and the wider community meant the project needed to be handled with sensitivity and care at every stage.

Outcome

While the restoration is ongoing, Woods’ work has helped the Trust progress toward its goal of reopening in 2025. More than a project, this has been a deeply meaningful partnership — one grounded in shared values, cultural legacy, and community vision.

For Woods, it has been a privilege to contribute to this important kaupapa. We're proud to support the next chapter of St Stephen’s — a place where generations of Māori leaders were once shaped, and where many more will be in the future.