The 1930s was a time of sweeping changes in the New Zealand education system, and allowed teachers to introduce experiential learning to their classrooms.

[1] After redesigning the school gardens, the headmaster embarked on a project to have the 10–12 year old pupils design and build a complete, contemporary, model house of the 1930s.

The Christchurch Teachers' Training College used the site for accommodation while on field trips, but relinquished ownership to the Ministry of Education in 1994.

The school was purchased by the Department of Conservation in 2004, and gazetted that year as a Historic Reserve to be managed by the Kotuku Heritage Society.

[1][3] The Model Bungalow is registered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category I structure, with registration number 7232.