In the heart of Taupō, a landmark civic building is redefining the relationship between architecture, culture, and governance. He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa, designed by DCA Architects of Transformation, recognised as the 2025 NZIA Commercial Regional Winner for Waikato/Bay of Plenty & 2025 ADNZ Waikato / Bay of Plenty Regional Awards – Resene Colour Award, this project exemplifies how thoughtful specification and cultural integration can elevate civic architecture.
Commissioned through a design-build-leaseback model, the project was led by a partnership between Taupō District Council and the business entities of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The result is a purpose-built civic hub that co-locates council offices with iwi organisations, including the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust, and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust.
He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa is a flagship example of how local government and iwi can collaborate meaningfully. It’s a space where governance, culture, and community converge — a physical and symbolic expression of hononga (connection) that will serve generations to come.
As a Masterspec-specified project, it stands as a testament to the power of specification in shaping not just buildings, but the stories they tell.