Bright and colourful, there are now 3 NZ Hundertwasser structures, each contributing a piece of history and sharing an ecological message of sustainability and hope. After a recent visit to Whangārei, we have now visited all three: the Hundertwasser Art Centre, Hundertwasser Toilets, and the Pavilion for Nature.
If you’ve never heard of the artist, you might be wondering if New Zealand actually has a world-famous loo. Imagine a frequently photographed toilet block that is actually a tourist attraction, and you have the Hundertwasser Toilets. It is the first structure by the internationally acclaimed artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser built in New Zealand.
In fact, more than just an NZ Hundertwasser design; it was the artist’s only structure in the Southern Hemisphere for a long time. However, the artist passed away shortly after the 1999 opening, leaving behind the designs for both the Pavilion for Nature and an art centre.
We are most impressed by how he instilled a sense of appreciation for art, nature, and sustainability, inspiring subsequent generations of artists, architects, and environmentalists to explore innovative ways of blending the human-made and natural worlds. His contributions continue to shape the artistic landscape of New Zealand, leaving an enduring mark on its cultural heritage.
Reflecting nature, his artwork rejects the rigid and uniform aesthetics of conventional architecture. Instead, he embraces asymmetry and emphasizes the importance of individual expression. Take a look …
See New Zealand’s Hundertwasser structures
Who is Friedensreich Hundertwasser?
Friedensreich Hundertwasser was an Austrian-born, somewhat reclusive artist, designer, and ecologist. Born in 1928 as Friedrich Stowasser, he officially changed his name to Friedenscreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser at some point. Interesting trivia, his names translate:
- Friedenscreich (peace in the realm)
- Regentag (rainy day)
- Dunkelbunt (bold – the multicolours of nature)
- Hundertwasser (100 waters)
In 1973, he visited and ultimately moved to New Zealand, purchased a farm east of Kawakawa, and gained NZ citizenship. He designed and gifted a proposed second New Zealand flag design, which can be spotted in the mosaic work in the toilet block.
His contemporary art style is his own, created after he dropped out of art school. It features vivid, multi-coloured mosaic collages, integrated sculpture and glass, and undulating lines. Noticeable features inspired by nature include spirals, uneven ground, living rooftops, and colourful columns that represent trees.
It’s fun and funky, and we think it’s worth a stop to see. Some distinguishing features of his philosophy include:
- He wanted to make the world a better place.
- Hundertwasser encouraged local volunteers to participate in community projects.
- He once implied that everyone should have a golden cupula on their house to feel like the king and queen of their residence.
- In 1974, he took the idea of conservation week from New Zealand and shared it across Europe.
Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei
The latest Hundertwasser structure in New Zealand was designed in 1992, and will be the last Hundertwasser structure to be built in the world. The artist gifted the design to the city, but it wasn’t added to the long-term plan until 2013. Today, the Hundertwasser Art Centre sits proudly along the Whangarei waterfront, after opening in 2022.
We came away from our visit in awe of both the artwork and the artist’s philosophies. We believe we got a glimpse of it all and recommend you do too. For us, this included the Māori art gallery, the afforested rooftop, a delicious lunch at Aqua cafe, the gift shop, the detail of the construction, and, of course, the galleries of the artist himself.
A few fascinating facts we want to share:
- The 80 artworks by the artist are on loan from the Hundertwasser Foundation in Vienna and rotate every four years.
- A huge tapestry hangs in the main gallery that took five years to complete by people well-paid in Afghanistan, in keeping with his desire to help people in poverty.
- The Wairau Māori Art Gallery is the world’s first contemporary Māori Art Gallery. Displaying works of top Māori artists, the exhibits change every three months.
- Interestingly, the terms “Hundertwasser” in German and “Wairau” in Māori both convey the meaning of “100 waters” when translated into English.
- The afforested rooftop is the largest in the southern hemisphere.
- Like the Pavilion for Nature (see below), construction was overseen by the Hundertwasser Foundation.
NZ Hundertwasser Toilets
There is no question about it, this Kawakawa toilet block is a work of art, as well as a working facility, with both a men’s and women’s side. It showcases Hundertwasser’s ability to transform even the most mundane structures into captivating works of art.
It opened in 1999, shortly before the artist passed away, making it his final artistic project completed during his lifetime and the only one that he closely supervised the construction.
We stop here every time we head up north. Many years ago, the woman cleaning the bathroom was an official Hundertwasser toilet guide. She even showed us her badge, confirming that she was a representative of the Hundertwasser charitable trust.
She added a detailed history of the building, telling us that the local Bay of Islands College students prepared the ceramic tiles, the bricks were from a former Bank of New Zealand building, recycled bottles were used, and community volunteers completed the construction, all under the watchful eye of the artist himself.
Hundertwasser’s ecological background is apparent on the structure’s roof, which contains replanting of all vegetation removed for construction.
The guide concluded that these are considered to be the most photographed toilets in New Zealand, and possibly in the world.
Hundertwasser Pavilion for Nature
For years, I wrote about the famous toilets, pointing out that they are the only Hundertwasser-designed structure in the southern hemisphere. Then, through a random course of events, we discovered this at Birkdale Intermediate School.
Even without the sign identifying it, the bright colours, undulating lines, and the inclusion of nature scream Hundertwasser. We slowed down but drove past the first time we saw it, as school was in session and there were children everywhere.
The good news is that on our return, we read the signage that welcomed us to take a closer look, and we took advantage of this. Thus, we share with you the second public structure of Hundertwasser design that is built in New Zealand.
The “Pavilion for Nature’ is a Freidensreich Hundertwasser design released after his architectural design sketches. The design was dedicated to us by The Hundertwasser Non-Profit Foundation in Vienna, Austria. Built in 2014.
When the school is open you are welcome to come in and take a closer look. Our office has an information pamphlet should you wish to know more.
Apparently, I was the first to ask for this information packet in years. Here’s a summary of what I learned about the structure:
- Built after his death, it is based on Hundertwasser’s architectural design sketches. He even provided the name ‘Pavilion for Nature’.
- The key elements of the structure are the onion dome, the columns, and the afforested rooftop. Each has significant meaning to Hundertwasser.
- Under supervision, students participated in the creation, adding tiles for the mosaic designs and doing the planting. Hundertwasser had regularly used local creative input.
In Hundertwasser’s own words
A few quotes from the artist obtained from the school’s literature:
“I think the onion shape means richness and happiness and wealth and opulence and fertility . . . it’s a dream out of the Arabian Nights.
“Against the disease of the modern architecture of far overhanging canopies, balconies, and building proportions, we have only one remedy: columns . . . Next to a column one feels as under a tree. A column must be beautiful and colourful and shine in the rain and in the moonlight of its own accord. Each column is unique and does not resemble another one.”
“The true proportions in this world are the views to the stars and views down to the surface of the earth. Grass and vegetation in the city should grow on all horizontal spaces – that is to say, wherever rain and snow falls, vegetation should grow, on the roads and on the roofs.”
Tips for visiting the Hundertwasser Toilets, Pavilion for Nature, or Arts Centre
I turned this image on its side to more clearly see Hundertwasser’s NZ flag design on the wall.
All three structures are available for public viewing at least some of the time.
- Hundertwasser Arts Centre is open daily from 10am to 4pm. However, the architectural exterior is available for viewing anytime. Located at 81 Dent Street in the town basin, it’s one of many fun things to do in Whangarei.
- The Hundertwasser Toilets are easy to spot and well-signposted. They are located on Kawakawa’s main road at 60 Gillies Street. While you are in Kawakawa, take note of the railroad track. Kawakawa is the only New Zealand town to have a track running through the centre of town. It’s a remnant of the coal mining days. It’s our first stop in the Bay of Islands.
- The Hundertwasser Pavilion for Nature is located on the grounds of the Birkdale Intermediate School at 200 Birkdale Road, Birkdale, Auckland. According to the sign on the school gate about the pavilion, when the school is open, visitors are welcome to come in and take a closer look.
- You can visit both the art centre and the toilets on any trip around the top of the North Island itinerary.
More about Hundertwasser
If you want to know more about the man, check out one of these books:
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Did you stop at the NZ Hundertwasser toilets, art centre, or pavilion?
For more on New Zealand, start here: New Zealand Road Trips: Itineraries for North or South Island Adventures, or you might like …
Disclaimer: Thanks to the Birkdale Intermediate School for allowing me to share this information.
Jody
Wow! What a creative genius! I’m a fan of urban art and unique architecture and the guy gives the world both. I’d like to hear him and Gaudi having a conversation!
Sarinda
Love this! Art in unexpected places is such a good way to get new people to engage and discover new things.
Chelsea Messina
So interesting that this is an attraction in NZ, the sculptures are really pretty and would be cool to see.
Kitty
How interesting! I have seen the Hundertwasser building in Vienna but had no idea about his connection to New Zealand
Linda (LD Holland)
Visiting the Hundertwasser structures sounds like something we should consider when we finally get to New Zealand. Even if I would not have thought of visiting a world famous toilet. The Art Centre looks colourful and funky.
Josy A
I love the unique and cheerful style of Hundertwasser, but I didn’t know NZ has several structures! It’s pretty cool that one of them is a loo!
Devesh
Wow…really amazing blog.
I really like the photos of the structures.
Jojo Hua
This was so interesting to see. I love seeing beautiful and creative designs like this!
Alan Bates
No kidding, this is one of the most remarkable blog posts that I have ever read. This is an amazing post.
Cosette
Never heard of the toilets before, but I get that they’re an attraction.
Cristina
I have never heard or seen these toilets before, and I had no idea a toilet could be a tourist attraction. It’s interesting to know about it.
Two Sisters Abroad
Wow! Who knew that toilets could be so artistic! This is definitely one of the most unique and interesting posts I’ve read in a while. I bet the Hundertwasser art center will be so interesting.
aine
Interesting article! Never been to New Zealand, but met some people from there. Next time I will ask if they know about this place 😀
Cheryl Moss
So many interesting things to see when you sit and pee. We went in 2020 never seen anything like it. Beautiful. A must see in nz.
Tal
One of the strangest toilets I’ve ever heard of! Thanks for the cool post
Diane
Who knew! I mean why not have something artistic to look at while doing our business? Thanks New Zealand!
Paul Pietrangelo
A toilet is a toilet as long as it works and has enough toilet paper. I remember when I needed to use a toilet in Curacao. I finally founded one but I had to pay one dollar to us it. The same thing happened in St. Maarten but it only cost me a half dollar. What would have happened if I didn’t have the dollar? Oops!
Have a great day Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Farrah
hahaha, this is awesome. I’ve never been to New Zealand but it’s super high up on my travel bucket list! This would definitely be a unique place to add to my ever-growing list of places I want to visit while I’m there! 😛
Patti
Wow. This is the strangest artistic design for a public restroom. HAHA It’s right up my alley.
Renata Green
This is amazing! I know many of his works but never heard of these toilets!
Lekha Chellani
It’s so interesting! I had no idea that there is a world famous loo designed by such a famous artist. Amazing idea for a post, I always like to read about unique travel ideas!
Amy Franks
Kawakawa is about 20 minutes away from us, I’ve driven past those loos many times but never stopped in there.
Hannah
What an amazing attraction! When my brother was little, he was obsessed with toilets (is this a small boy thing??) but anyway, he would have loved this! my parents once took him on a ‘toilet tour’ to see notable toilets in a local city. I think if we ever managed to visit New Zealand we’d have to make a stop here to honour that tradition! Thanks for the great guide!
Anda
What an ingenious idea, to design artistic toilets! I’ve never heard about Friedensreich Hundertwasser, so I’m glad you gave me some background about this artist. It seems the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa
are the result of a collective effort, with the college students preparing the ceramic tiles using bricks from a former building and recycled bottles.
Melanie Schaffer
I’ve never heard of this artist, such a unique design!
If I ever go to NZ, I will be sure to add these 2 stops
Krista
Wow I’ve never seen any toilets that look like this! So unusual and unique!
Destiny
Haha oh my gosh! What an interesting, quirky find! I had never heard of this before, but it is definitely a noteworthy stop!
Albi
The pavilon looks interesting all by it self but the toilets are looking really awesome, I have never heard about such a thing and I’m happy that I did
Megan
What an interesting post! Haha, the title got me so I had to look. And the toilets actually all look really cool! Never thought I’d see a restroom decorated with a big onion! Very clever
Sandee
That’s a wild toilet. Nothing boring there at all.
Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – I had come across this eccentric brilliant artist before – so knew of the toilets … but the new pavilion – I’d no idea … what a great addition to the school. Amazing man – definitely sui generis … one day I’d love to read more about him … thanks for the reminder of his extraordinary toilets! Take care – Hilary
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Hey, might as well be proud of what you do!
Laurie
Hi Rhonda,
Great photos! The world needs more whimsy – and where better than the public toilet?
Elisabeth
Wow!! The most photographed toilets in the world, huh??! That’s quite a distinction.. 😛 😛
Hilarious! 😀 😀
Julie
Beautiful toilets! Betty White had a great line on Hot In Cleveland. She said, At my age, I dress for going to the bathroom.” That pretty much sums up my life. BTW, where does Christine eat her lunch?
Joyce Lansky
What a cool job! It’s even better than being a Walmart greeter.
Joyce
Dafeenah
Those toilets are just too pretty to pee in.
Tony
Wow that’s amazing. I think I went to Kawakawa, can’t remember now, but I never heard of the toilets before.