Manatū Taonga
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
the brief
As part of their building re-design Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage worked with ngā pou Māori me ngā pou Pūkenga (advisors and experts) to develop a meaningful Māori narrative and incorporate it seamlessly throughout the fitout.
“Having Māori designs, graphics and narratives integrated into this historical building acknowledges our past and signals our future as we continue to uphold and champion culture and heritage in Aotearoa-New Zealand”
the concept
what we did
We worked with staff and advisors to examine what it means to be part of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and we explored room planning, furniture concepts and the redevelopment of meeting spaces. We reconfigured the desking to increase capacity for growth, improved circulation and split noisy functions, such as the breakout area, from quiet ones. Alongside Māori cultural advisors we collaborated with Māori experts to develop a narrative and aesthetic for the revitalised space.
the results
The new fitout represents a strong Māori narrative intended to be genuine and authentic. The designs, graphics and narratives are grounded in Māori mythology including the kōrero pertaining to Ranginui and Papatūānuku (sky father-earth mother). At the entrance is Tāne, Māori god of the forest and birds. He welcomes visitors as kaitiaki (guardian) of Te Whare o Te Manatū Taonga.
