Athfield Architects and Tihei: Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui
Athfield Architects and Tihei: Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui won the inaugural Kōtuitui Award at the 2026 NZ Interior Awards, the award for work made through genuine partnership. The Wellington Central Library represents far more than a seismic strengthening project. Driven by a deep partnership between Wellington City Council and Mana Whenua, Te Matapihi is a transformative civic institution that has re-established the library as the cultural and community heart of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Athfield and Tihei take the room through how the two practices actually worked together, the significance of trust, respect and reciprocity to the success of the project, and what the partnership looked like when it was tested.
Speakers
Nick Strachan
Architect and Principal at Athfield Architects, who has a focus on civic, community and library projects. He has worked on the library teams across Devonport, Waitohi-Johnsonville, Waitohi-Picton and most recently Te Matapihi/Wellington Central Library.
Architect and Principal at Athfield Architects, who has a focus on civic, community and library projects. He has worked on the library teams across Devonport, Waitohi-Johnsonville, Waitohi-Picton and most recently Te Matapihi/Wellington Central Library.
Rangi Kipa (Taranaki Iwi/Te Ātiawa)
A nationally and internationally recognised contemporary Māori art practitioner with specific training in carving, Māori visual arts, and social sciences. Rangi leads Māori design consultancy Tihei Limited in the provision of Māori design services, facilitating the exploration, understanding, and realisation of Māori language systems within the built environment.
A nationally and internationally recognised contemporary Māori art practitioner with specific training in carving, Māori visual arts, and social sciences. Rangi leads Māori design consultancy Tihei Limited in the provision of Māori design services, facilitating the exploration, understanding, and realisation of Māori language systems within the built environment.
Monday 8 March 2027
3:00pm – 3:30pm
Shed 10, Queen’s Wharf, 89 Quay Street, Auckland
This event is exclusive to
Local Design Conference ticket holders.
From $99 First Release
Local Design Conference
