Description:

The Hamilton Gardens Arrival Precinct transforms the visitor experience at one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated public destinations. The Gardens have undergone decades of regeneration to become an internationally acclaimed horticultural attraction. This project continues that legacy, creating a welcoming, culturally rich entry that supports the cultural identity of the site and supports its future growth.

The project includes a ticketed entry sequence, retail and hospitality upgrades, improved circulation and greater accessibility. The brief also called for the reuse of existing infrastructure wherever possible to reduce cost and environmental impact.

The design was shaped in close partnership with mana whenua, embedding cultural narratives into the architecture and landscape. A hand carved waharoa marks the threshold, while timber screens and paving patterns reference traditional Māori gardening tools and weaving forms. These details are not only beautiful, but they express the site's deep ancestral connections and welcome visitors with a sense of place and purpose.

This project is as much a landscaping achievement as an architectural one, blending disciplines to deliver a unified and enduring civic space. The result is an inclusive, sustainable, and culturally resonant gateway to a treasured public destination.