The website, created in partnership with developers Tribal Aotearoa, was launched in March 2023.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Kaihautū and distinguished artist Dean Whiting, provided creative guidance throughout the design process to create the visually rich and fit-for-purpose site.

“The ‘Pouhere Taonga’ part of our name was chosen as something that is unique to this organisation and means ‘the pou that binds taonga together’, and this quickly became a focus for the design,” says Whiting. “We know that for many ‘heritage’ is often associated with a building, where pou or pillars are an essential structural element to create built form, and in heritage landscapes pouwhenua and memorials are the focus to remember and retell our stories. 

“We view this new website as our digital pouhere – a place where stories and histories are kept safe and shared with communities, but also a meeting place where people come together to share, celebrate, discuss, and decide,” says Whiting.

Accented with contemporary pops of colour, this site represents a new appearance for forward-looking Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. The rich palate has been drawn from the unique natural environment of Aotearoa, with an acknowledgement of the wide range of colours Māori use in their decorative arts.

"As we celebrate this significant achievement, we also acknowledge the growing influence of Te Ao Māori - culture, stories, and arts - in design. We are honoured to contribute to this cultural movement, drawing inspiration and shaping a bicultural direction that echoes our whakatauākī: 'Tairangahia a tua whakarere; Tātakihia ngā reanga o āmuri ake nei. Honouring the past; Inspiring our future’," says Whiting.