The art of the build: Book captures unique building in Northland’s Kawakawa

Detailed summary

A photographer who voluntarily recorded the building of Kawakawa’s Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park has published a book showcasing the work. The community centre, gallery…

Photographer Sue Shepherd (left) is grateful the late Noma Shepherd, one of the leading drivers of Te Hononga community centre, shared her speech in the book.

A photographer who voluntarily recorded the building of Kawakawa’s Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park has published a book showcasing the work.

The community centre, gallery and public library pays homage to Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who helped make the town world famous with his quirky toilets.

It was opened by then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in October 2020 and has won multiple architecture awards, with the building symbolising the joining of communities, including Māori and Pākehā.

Northland photographer Sue Shepherd said she knew the project was special from the start, driven by passionate people in the community.

“Kawakawa is undoubtedly one of Northland’s best little towns, and its people have always taken immense pride in their community.”

The centre was more than a decade in the making, with community group Kawakawa Hundertwasser Park Charitable Trust and Ngāti Hine helping get it across the line.

When building began in February 2019, Shepherd said she stepped in voluntarily to record its progress.

The centre was partly built using the Canadian Sirewall method and is thought to be the first commercial rammed-earth building in New Zealand.

Opening of the article, excerpted from NZ Herald Business. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.