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Aonui – Otago Regional Council Head Office
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Co-designing a space with mana whenua.
Aonui, the new headquarters for Otago Regional Council, is shaped through a genuine co‑design partnership with Kāi Tahu.
With mana whenua organisation Aukaha and Port Otago’s project architects GHD, we’ve collaborated to embed mana whenua voices and values from project inception, reflecting ORC’s commitment to working as authentic partners with mana whenua, and promoting our shared aspirations.
Co-design is a collaborative process that weaves iwi, architects, and project partners together to ensure that Māori perspectives, values and stories are respectfully woven into the project from the ground up.
Aonui’s building and cultural design integration is a response to place. It acknowledges the whenua (land) and wai (waterways) of the site location and its cultural significance. This connection to place runs throughout the project, from orientation and spatial flow to natural materials and native planting.
The panels, designed by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha’s Mana Ahurea design team, depict the awa (rivers and streams) that run through Dunedin, in particular the awa Toitū that flows down Maclaggan Street.
Aonui customer entrance
Reception area in Aonui
Designs in Aonui reception
Aonui is grounded in partnership. Through our work with Aukaha and GHD, we are embedding a te ao Māori lens into the building in a way that is both practical and symbolic. Aonui stands as a visible expression of our respect for mana whenua and our shared aspirations for Otago.
ORC relocates Dunedin teams into central city building
ORC will bring its Dunedin-based staff together in one central location, with teams moving into the Aonui building at 180 High Street next week.
ORC green lights Port Otago plans for new Whare Runaka office build
Port Otago and The Otago Regional Council (ORC) have finalised redevelopment plans for the Council’s Whare Rūnaka at the former central Dunedin Warehouse site on Maclaggan Street.
Building design celebrates history of place
Port Otago’s new building, to be leased by the Otago Regional Council, will shortly celebrate a design milestone as the results of a co-design process become visible.
“Prestigious” new build name solidified in the Otago environment
As the first of two feature panels are installed on Port Otago’s new build this week, the name of the building, to be leased by the Otago Regional Council (ORC), has been revealed.
Below are answers to common questions about the building, available services, and what to expect when visiting.
ORC is moving to bring all Dunedin-based teams and services into one place. This will bring staff currently spread across two central Dunedin sites together in one location, improving collaboration, creating a more efficient workplace, and providing a better experience for customers visiting ORC.
Dunedin-based staff will commence working from the relocated office on Tuesday 28 April with the move occurring during the two weeks prior.
The ORC Dunedin Office, Aonui, is located at 180 High Street, Dunedin.
The last day to be able to visit the ORC Customer Support team at Level 2, Philip Laing House on Rattray Street will be Thursday 23 April. Reopening to the public on Wednesday 29 April at the relocated office at 180 High Street.
The relocated office will include ORC’s customer support and provide a modern, accessible space for the public to engage with council services. There will also be six customer carparks and two accessible parks for the public while visiting.
Yes. ORC depots and regional offices across Otago will remain unchanged. This move only affects Dunedin-based staff currently split between two Dunedin offices.
Aonui was selected by mana whenua ki Ōtākou as the name for the new building due to its mana and significance in both te ao Māori and Kāi Tahu tradition.
In recognition of ORC’s responsibility for the sustainable management of the environment, and its ongoing commitment to mana whenua, it was considered appropriate to bestow a name of distinction upon the building.
Aonui is associated with the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world. In the celestial realm, Aonui is the son of Rehua, known in western astronomy as Antares.
The waka Āraiteuru, synonymous with Otago coast, included a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River).
Aonui is commemorated by the prominent basaltic pillar known as Aonui (Cook’s Head), situated just north of the Tokomairaro River along the Āraiteuru coastline.
