As a Te Tiriti partner, the 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 City.

A co-design partnership was established with Tihei’s Creative Director Rangi Kipa (Te Atiawa Taranaki Whānui), in collaboration with VUW’s 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 spaces to adjust, expand, and converge into one another to bolster idea sharing and community – all the while linked by a unified aho/thread.

CONCEIVED AS A SANCTURY FOR STAFF AND VISITORS ALIKE, THE INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AMBODIES A UNIQUE TE AO MĀORI EXPRESSION, WHCIH THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WILL CONTUINE TO NURTURE