Judge's comments:

The elegant backstory and refined colour and graphic application combined with an advanced material development and manufactured to survive the rigours environment of a commercial application the Tainui Wallcovering was a standout for the judges.

Description:

Working closely with local Tainui iwi, the development of Novotel Tainui was a thoughtful collaboration, denoting Tainui’s personal connection to the Waikato river.

The brief for the wallcovering was to knit this taonga throughout the design.

The seas, mountains and rivers of Tainui are all living; life giving, they provide in abundance. The design celebrates this, reflecting the mana whenua's deep connection to the mighty Waikato River, a taonga whose mauri is referenced through considered colour and movement.

The result is a considered, serene interior.