Innovation Award

This award recognises that transformation is happening in our sector and is awarded to the project that has taken an innovative approach and achieved a positive outcome. Innovation could be in the field of process, design, construction, materials or technology
H T M L Code
Innovation Award

Project: Te Hononga, Hundertwasser Memorial Park

Entrant

Harnett Builders Limited

Project Partners

Artist (), AVAIL PACIFIC LIMITED (Architect/Designer), Far North District Council (Local District Councillor), Far North Holdings Ltd (Project Faciliter/Project Manager), Foxhanger Studio (Mosaic Artist), Harnett Builders (Construction Company), Hawthorn Landscape Architects (Landscape Architect), Hundertwasser Memorial Park Charitable Trust (Trustee and Treasurer), Hundertwasser Non-Profit Foundation (Hundertwasser Entrance Design), J S Hepi Contracting Ltd (Construction Company), Kings Theatre Creative (), Ngati Hine Artist (/Artist - Cultural Design/Cultural Artist), Northland Regional Council (Local Regional Councillor), PK Engineering Ltd (Engineer), SIREWALL Consulting (Construction Company), Story Inc (Visitor Experience), Te Runanga O Ngati Hine (Iwi Partner, Trustee on KHPCT), Woven Panels (Bottle wall artist)

Owned By

Hundertwasser Memorial Park Charitable Trust
Te Rūnanga O Ngāti Hine

Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park in Kawakawa was officially opened by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in October 2021, combining the vision of the Kawakawa Hundertwasser Memorial Park Charitable Trust (KHMPCT), Ngati Hine artists, and locals in the arts and crafts space. Countless community representatives, local tradesmen and consultants came together with project manager Far North Holdings, to create an outstanding community asset. Local collaboration underpinned all facets of the project, exemplified by the 20 unemployed youth who helped construct the rammed earth walls. Local rammed earth builder Hepi Construction mentored the trainees with specialist guidance provided by specialist Canadian company, SIREWall. The support of both proved invaluable. Access to key materials played its part in helping meet client aspirations, as illustrated by the cultural representation of pukepuke rau, the “rolling hills of Ngati Hine.” It was an apt way to honor Hundertwasser’s unique connection with the natural environment and non-linear buildings.

Judges comments

This vibrant community centre was set up through a Trust in 2007 and it required significant fundraising undertaken by the local community. Community was a theme throughout this build and emphasis was also placed on sourcing materials and the project team locally. A collaborative delivery model was adopted by utilising both professional contractors and untrained local recruits. Expert management of this unique partnership overcame the challenges inherent in this hybrid approach. The memorial park was also the first commercial construction in New Zealand to use rammed earth walls through the Canadian Sire Wall technique.