Wellington Zoo Isthmus Group Ltd

Meet the Locals He Tuka Aroha at Wellington Zoo is a celebration of all things New Zealand and a wonderfully immersive experience for adults and children of all ages.

A great success of the project is the fully immersive way a sense of playfulness, exploration, and discovery through its considered layout and robust material selection, enabling a sense of ‘getting off the beaten track’. A winding path gently rises up the valley through an abstracted transect of New Zealand’s landscape and links a series of beautifully created environments. Although highly stylised the journey never feels forced with each new turn revealing itself in a relaxed and natural way.

Through a collaborative approach, a deep understanding of the site and the New Zealand context, a restrained design sensibility, high quality execution, and meticulous maintenance, the team behind Meet the Locals He Tuka Aroha have created a joyful experience that succeeds at every level through elements of play, interpretation and activity, skilfully integrated to enhance the experience.