Taupō District Council and Ngāti Tūwharetoa recently celebrated a historic milestone with the opening of He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa, a landmark building that represents a new era of partnership between local government and iwi.
At TwentyTwo, we are proud to have been part of the journey that brought He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa to life. Since 2022, we’ve worked closely with Taupō District Council, supporting them through a transformative process that reimagined their workplace and development strategy. Together with the Council, our team – led by David Lambie, played a key role in shaping the project’s vision. From selecting the ideal site to negotiating the commercial terms that brought this bold vision to reality, it was a journey built on collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to creating a space that serves both the Council and the wider Taupō community.
TwentyTwo’s role
Our involvement spanned multiple phases of the project. We worked alongside the Council to structure key commercial terms and negotiate a balanced, mutually beneficial partnership with Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust. Our team also played a part in the site selection process, ensuring the project’s vision aligned with the aspirations of both the Council and iwi.
Our work included:
- Developing the business case and facilitating workshops
- Leading a competitive procurement process to identify a development partner
- Leading the Agreement to Lease negotiation
- Establishing the project team and providing project guidance throughout the journey
Through a robust evaluation process, Taupō District Council partnered with Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust to jointly redevelop a previously underutilised site, delivering a purpose-built office environment for both parties that reflects the shared aspirations of local government and iwi.
Realigning the workplace strategy
One of our key contributions was supporting Taupō District Council’s Executive Leadership Team to realign their workplace strategy – disrupted during the COVID-19 years. The Council’s vision was to create a sense of togetherness and a unified organisational identity and our role was to ensure these goals were fully integrated into the project.
We worked closely with their team to ensure the new civic space fosters collaboration, innovation and connection.
While traditional success metrics focus on budget and timelines – both of which were met – we’re equally proud of the way we engaged a broad internal team, bringing them along the journey. This collaboration across all levels of the organisation helped deliver an outcome that was not only efficient and effective, but also deeply reflective of the Council’s values and vision.
Integrating workplace and technology solutions
TwentyTwo Technology played a critical role in enhancing this project, with smart workplace and audio-visual systems integrated from the outset.
Key innovations included:
- Custom-designed technology in the Council Chamber, featuring interactive microphones and automated camera switching for hybrid meetings and live streaming
- A comprehensive AV solution for all meeting spaces
- Advanced visitor management, security, and access control systems for improved safety and operational efficiency
- Desk occupancy and utilisation tracking systems
- A digital signage strategy for improved internal communications
We were fortunate to be involved from the early stages of the design, which allowed us to influence the project holistically. The TDC team were awesome to work with and our collaboration has really lifted the role of technology in this workplace.
A symbol of partnership
The opening of He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Taupō District Council and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Now home to multiple Tūwharetoa entities and the Taupō District Council, this landmark building stands as a powerful symbol of unity, cultural pride and community service.
He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa houses:
- Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
- Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust
- Ngāti Tūwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust
- Taupō District Council
- Economic development agency Amplify
- Destination marketing agency Love Taupō
The name, He Whare Hono ō Tūwharetoa , meaning the house of connection, captures the deep ties between these organisations and their shared commitment to serving whānau, hapū and the wider Taupō community. The stunning artworks displayed throughout the building, created by renowned Tūwharetoa artists, honour ancestral wisdom and the interconnectedness of people, land and sky.
The completion is more than just the opening of a new building, it represents the strengthening of an enduring partnership between local government and iwi. It is a tangible testament to shared values and we are incredibly proud to have been part of this journey.
We extend our congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding project. Councils commercial partners at Ngāti Tuwharetoa represented with mana by Koau Capital Partners. TDC’s internal project team who embraced the challenges of the project and over-delivered and the external project team who have been first class – Architects Chow Hill , Project Manager Lee Jensen (Colliers Projects), and Quantity Qurveyor Geoff Hayr (Maltbys).
