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Theming the office environment

Use an agency-neutral brand theme throughout the leased area to align with the Government branding approach.

Plan your theme early

Planning the theme at the beginning of the overall building refurbishment or new build process means the final result will set the scene for the entire look and feel of the office.

Avoid theming the office environment in your own agency brand theme, as this doesn't align with the New Zealand Government approach.

Consider adopting one or all of the following agency-neutral themes:

  • cultural
  • locational
  • historical
  • contemporary.

Get creative with the decision, and engage with staff at your agency to make sure they feel involved.

When using Māori themes, be sure to engage with local Iwi and your agency's cultural or Māori advisor as appropriate.

The reception area of the NZ Treasury building in Wellington, NZ

A reception area with a strong theme

Cultural theme

Māori culture forms a distinctive part of New Zealand culture – rich and varied, with both traditional and contemporary elements. To promote and encourage the use of te reo Māori, meeting rooms can be named after Māori flora and fauna, or colours, with bilingual signage and an associated image as an example.

Areas for exhibiting artworks should be planned as part of the design process, along with te reo Māori and English signage.

Consult with local iwi and hapū before incorporating any cultural designs.

Find Iwi by local authority – Te Puni Kōkiri Ministry of Māori Development

An example of good cultural design in the Treasury building in Wellington

An example of good cultural design in one room of the Treasury building in Wellington

Good examples of cultural design in the Treasury, Wellington

Case study: Waikato-Tainui and ACC working together

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) worked in partnership with Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) and Waikato-Tainui on a new office space in Kirikiriroa / Hamilton. The space is designed to reflect the significance of the site and the community it serves. 

"As the site of the former maara kai (vegetable garden) that fed and provided sustenance for Kirikiriroa Paa, this area has an important history of manaakitanga, of taking care of people and supporting everyone to have the best possible quality of life. This is exactly what ACC strives to do too." – Hazel Scandlyn, Cultural Capability Manager, ACC

ACC knew it was important to consult with local iwi on the narrative inside and outside of the building. It was about working together on the design, not just a landlord-tenant relationship.

“There was a strong desire to recognise the importance of the site and combine what TGH wanted to achieve with the exterior of the building with how we designed the interior.” – Justin de la Haye, Property Senior Project Manager, ACC

ACC regularly engaged with TGH and Waikato-Tainui on the overall design, and for aspects like the themes and dialect used to name meeting rooms.

The building design incorporates colours relevant to Waikato-Tainui, blending the earth and sky tones found in our taiao (environment). Blues were used to represent Tainui and their connection with the awa and moana (river and sea), greens for papatuuaanuku (land), browns for the ngaahere (forest) and natural components of Rongoaa representing natural medicines.

ACC also sought advice from kaiwhakairo (carvers), and kairaranga (weavers), who helped to identify which plants to include in designs to show the vegetation that historically grew in the area.

Tongikura – proverbs from the Kiingitanga – were also incorporated into their designs. For example, Amohia ake te ora o te iwi ka puta ki te wheiao – from Kiingi Tuheitia — is a reminder to be mindful of others and to seek ways to unite, promoting strength through unity.

Each floor above reception has been themed around the natural environment. These are themes are ngaahere (forest or bush), ngaa manu (birds) and ngaa whetuu (stars). The floors are linked by LED tukutuku panels designed for ACC in traditional red, black and white colours. Every floor has a particular pattern which fits with the designs used on meeting room glazing. One floor uses the poutama pattern, with carpets that match.

Note: the use of double vowels in the reo Māori component of this message reflects the dialect used by the Kiingitanga which uses double vowels in place of single macronised vowels.

Locational theme

An agency could base their office theme on neutral New Zealand locations, including those related to the office location.

For example, famous landmarks – whether they are natural or artificial – can be showcased throughout the office. An office located in Auckland could have the CBD skyline frosted on glass walls or printed on lockers, and the names of meeting rooms could be Auckland street names. Other locational themes could include the following:

Natural environment

  • landscapes
  • mountains
  • lakes and rivers
  • unique landmarks such as the Moeraki Boulders or the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki and Wairarapa
  • flora and fauna

Built environment

  • city skylines
  • buildings such as the Beehive or Sky Tower
  • famous statues and monuments

Using Māori tūpuna names and names of significance to Māori, such as the tribal waka and names of iwi and hapū for rooms, should always be cleared with the local iwi and hapū.

A themed meeting room named after the Wairarapa region.

An example of using the name of a New Zealand region as a meeting room name

Historical theme

The look and feel of the office could be themed on neutral New Zealand history connected to the building or location.

For example, the Bolton Hotel on Bolton Street in Wellington is named and also themed around a ship named the Bolton that arrived at Wellington Harbour in 1840. Another example is meeting rooms named after famous New Zealanders who have made major historical achievements. If you use people’s names, it is essential that you seek any relevant permissions from them or their whānau, iwi or hapū.

A sign for a room showing historical theming from Te Kawa Mataaho, Wellington.

A sign for a room showing historical theming from Te Kawa Mataaho, Wellington

Contemporary theme

Alternatively, agencies can apply a very neutral theme with a contemporary office environment by not applying any specific theme. Instead you can use contemporary colours, materials and basic patterns. This can be the favoured approach when various interchangeable agencies are using the same space such as kitchen areas, or collaboration and co-working spaces.

An example of various soft furnishings in the corner of a room.

An example of tables and chairs in a contemporary break out area.

An example of a sitting area with coloured chairs, bright artwork and small tables.

Examples of contemporary design for sitting areas

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