Te Rua Archives, New Zealand
- Developments
2-12 Aitken Street, Wellington NZ
A national treasure, engineered for generations
Located within Wellington’s Parliamentary precinct, Te Rua Archives is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s cultural and civic infrastructure. Designed to safeguard the nation’s documentary heritage including UNESCO-listed taonga, the facility is engineered to remain fully operational 48 hours after a 1-in-1800-year earthquake.
This landmark development is physically connected to the National Library of New Zealand via a two-level bridge, forming a unified heritage campus that fosters collaboration, public engagement and long-term government capability.
This project reflects Dexus’s commitment to delivering enduring public value through private capital – combining technical excellence with cultural stewardship.
A collaborative vision realised through public-private partnership
The building’s design was shaped through deep collaboration with Mana Whenua and Māori design collective Tihei, resulting in a culturally expressive façade spanning 4,000 sqm. The architecture draws inspiration from the traditional pātaka (raised storehouse), symbolising protection and reverence for knowledge.
Internally, the facility integrates advanced archival systems, specialist conservation labs, and public-facing spaces. It offers a future-proofed environment for government, cultural institutions, and strategic partners – engineered for continuity, compliance and operational excellence.
Delivered by Dexus in partnership with the Department of Internal Affairs, Te Rua Archives exemplifies how private investment can serve public purpose – on time, on budget and with long-term impact.
Features
Total GLA
26,500sqm across 10 levels
Archival storage
90km of shelving across five climate-controlled floors
Public interface
Two levels of public amenities, hosting spaces, and plaza
Specialist labs
Three floors of conservation and preservation facilities
Seismic isolation
38 triple-pendulum bearings, largest concrete piles in Wellington
Connectivity
Integrated bridge to National Library, landscaped urban connector
Built for resilience, designed for impact
- Sustainability
- Innovation
- Project outcomes
Setting a new benchmark for sustainable civic infrastructure, the building was engineered to reduce environmental impact, enhance operational efficiency and future-proof against climate and seismic risks.
- 5 Star Green Star rating achieved
- Façade thermal performance exceeds code by 300%
- Air permeability <0.5m³/hr/m² @ 50Pa – outperforming global benchmarks
- 80% reduction in operational carbon emissions (1,300+ tonnes annually)
- Dry sprinkler system with external water storage for fire resilience
- Elevated 1m above water table to mitigate flood risk
- Stormwater network designed for 1-in-100-year rainfall events
Te Rua Archives was delivered through a fully integrated digital design and construction process, setting a precedent for future public infrastructure. From early modelling to live asset management, innovation was embedded at every stage.
- Full digital twin created pre-construction, now used for live facilities management
- BIM-led coordination across architecture, engineering and cultural design
- Complex seismic isolation system modelled and tested digitally
- Façade geometry digitally translated from hand sketches by master carver
- Delivered on time and on budget through collaborative governance and agile procurement
More than a building, Te Rua Archives is a strategic platform for cultural preservation, government continuity and long-term partnership. Its outcomes reflect operational excellence, civic pride and national resilience.
- Purpose-built to protect New Zealand’s documentary heritage, including UNESCO-listed taonga
- Fully operational 48 hours after a 1-in-1800-year seismic event
- Seamless integration with National Library via two-level bridge
- Public-facing spaces designed to foster engagement and education
- Co-designed with Mana Whenua, embedding cultural identity into national infrastructure
- Model PPP delivery, balancing private capital with public purpose
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