Te Ātea in Taupō has won the Kiwis' Choice Award in the Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards

The winner of the Kiwis’ Choice Award, Te Ātea is the centrepiece of the recently redeveloped lakefront area. 

Keep New Zealand Beautiful said the award: “…celebrates Kiwis’ favourite public spot in New Zealand, whether that’s a beach, a park, a lookout, a waterfall, a lake or a walking track. If it is a spot that is open to the public, then it is eligible to be nominated to win this award.”

Meaning ‘space’ in te reo Māori, Te Ātea is a pedestrian-friendly gathering area with sculptural installations at the centre of Lake Terrace. Traditionally carved pou, mauri stones and bespoke paving and lighting elements draw awaremess to the historic importance of Taupō and the strong values and associations held by Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi. At its heart is Pou Aio-nuku Aio-rangi, made from a 2000-year-old totara by master carver Delani Brown.

Boffa Miskell designers worked closely with local artist Kingi Pitiroi to create into a gathering place imbued with meaning and connected to the landscape and environment, which also enhances the broader lakefront, encourages pedestrian flow and engagement with public seating opportunities, and identifies and empowers Tūwheretoa people as mana whenua.

Taupō itself was recognised with the Supreme Towns and Cities Award, marking it as the judges’ top pick of all this year’s finalists.