2023 Western Architecture Awards Winner
Chateau Tongariro Hotel (1929)
Tongariro is New Zealand's oldest national park and a dual World Heritage area. This status acknowledges the park's importance to Māori cultural and spiritual values. The Chateau Tongariro Hotel embodies a timeless elegance and is rooted deeply in New Zealand’s heritage. Designed by Timaru-based architect Herbert Hall (1881-1939), the neo-Georgian hotel was constructed of reinforced concrete but designed to resemble a traditional Georgian brick building. The hotel was luxuriously appointed, with panoramic windows, hot and cold running water to all rooms, and tasteful furnishings. Its place in Aotearoa New Zealand’s architectural history is more than a building that’s highly recognisable. The Chateau represents architectural excellence in an era when the country was uncertain about its vernacular but aspired to showcase its wonder. Built by Fletcher Construction, it was officially opened on 13 November 1929.
