The front of house interiors were designed by Woods Bagot in association with Warren and Mahoney and Moller Architects in a collaboration that has yielded a world-class convention facility capable of hosting a wide range of international and local events, while making a positive contribution to the city.

Woods Bagot Associate Principal and Project Lead Eric Buhrs says, “We are incredibly proud to see NZICC recognised with the Civic Interior Award. This project was driven by a vision to create a uniquely New Zealand experience, blending cultural storytelling, civic generosity and world-class event functionality. The result is a venue that welcomes the world while remaining deeply connected to the people, landscapes and identity of Aotearoa.”

Located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the project is strategically placed to engage with Auckland’s innovation ecosystem of universities, business headquarters, and commercial hubs. As well as a connected central location, the site also benefits from visual links to the natural landscape, with views from the Waitakere Ranges to the Waitemata Harbour.

“For many people [this] may be their primary experience of New Zealand. This sharpened the focus on crafting a sequence that communicates place through atmosphere, material and view,” says Buhrs.

The interior design is not only highly functional, but deeply contextual to place, embedding the stories of whenua (land) and whakapapa (ancestry) in the built form.

“Rooted in the idea of One Language, Many Voices, our design for the NZICC translates the textures, stories, and spirit of Aotearoa into a contemporary civic landmark,” says Buhrs. “By drawing on the dynamic forms of the New Zealand landscape and the depth of Māori cultural narrative, the centre speaks with an unmistakably local voice while welcoming the world.”

The name Te Tumu – meaning ‘the foundation’ or ‘tree stump’ – was gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and speaks to a strong source and resolute base from which growth stems.

“NZICC demonstrates how powerful civic interiors can be when culture, functionality and experience are considered as one. From the dramatic gallery spine to the highly adaptable event spaces, every element was designed to showcase the best of Aotearoa while delivering a world-class convention experience.”

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Isla Sutherland
Content and Communications Manager (Australia & New Zealand)