Judge's comments:

The outstanding design of Te Kāhui Tika Tangata fully embodies their commitment as a Te Tiriti partner while also creating a workplace design that fosters collaboration, inclusivity, and shared values. The mahi toi used in this space is an exceptional blend of traditional and contemporary modes of Māori design, that seamlessly blend from one to the next. The aho(thread) throughout the space not only binds together the cultural narrative and designs but also connects the spaces throughout, this has created a workplace design of the highest Gold Pin standard.

Description:

As a Te Tiriti partner, Te Kāhui Tiki Tangata Human Rights Commission were intent on creating a new home and workplace that forms a tūrangawaewae, a standing place for its organisation in the heart of Wellington.

Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (DGSE) established a co-design partnership with Tihei’s Creative Director Rangi Kipa (Te Atiawa Taranaki Whānui), in collaboration with designer David Hakaraia, to manifest the given pūrākau/narrative that would embody the work and aspirations of the Commission. A series of bespoke architectural interventions were curated to explore the principles within Te Kawa Ora, the most important karakia imbuing life into the new house.

Spaces have been planned with three key functions in mind: sense of arrival, coming together, and collaborative working. The architecture allows zones to adapt and expand into one another to bolster idea sharing and community – all the while linked by a unified aho/thread.