Home to the management and operational staff of the Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks Inc, the building is sited on the northern slope of Mangatawa Maunga to overlook the lands, property and the sacred mountain of Mauao.

Local legend encompassing the traditional story of ‘Te Wai O te Tohora’ – The legend of Mangatawa, drove a design for the roof in the shape of a whale tail and every aspect of the build reflects a strong cultural and historic connection. Three carved pou – averaging over five metres in height – represent the three whales from the Maori myth with the baby whale ‘Hikurangi’ found in the base of the water feature. The water or ‘life blood’ from Mangatawa flows downstream to Hikurangi.

The project took this legend to heart, never allowing practical considerations to water down the concept. The building, while representing a whale’s tail with the roof line, also incorporates the concept of a whale’s skeleton in the structure with exposed glulam beams representing a whale’s ribs, and the skin in the cladding. The 3 carved pou complete the connection of the whale legend to the building.

The Building includes close to 400m2 of office space with exposed laminate beams and columns, high raking ceilings, decking, new car-parking, porte-cochère and roading linking the new building to the business subsidiaries and marae. A tall sweeping wall of glass faces the spectacular view across the Bay of Plenty and 80% of the lands administered by the corporation.

Incorporating Te Wai O te Tohora into the building structure, has created a sense of legacy and pride to the community it serves.