THE MUSEUM OF KAWATIRI 

Client

Te Ara Pounamu  

Creative 

Wētā Workshop

Build of key installations

Wētā Workshop, Anderson Design Ltd.

Lighting Design 

Toulouse 

Location 

Kawatiri, New Zealand 

Opened

February, 2024

Role on the project

Production Design, Exhibition Design,  Art Direction  

Coal, gold and pounamu - these taonga [treasures] found on the West coast of New Zealand's South Island uncover the incredible story of the people of Kawatiri, from the earliest Polynesian settlers to today. 

The mixed-media exhibition includes an animated projection show depicting the origins of the coal, gold and pounamu, hyperrealistic dioramas of the region's most fantastic environments, and the display of precious Carter's Beach taonga dating back to 1350 AD.