Noho Lakeside Hotel

Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust sought a project that spoke authentically to place and people. Noho Lakeside Hotel, a 197-room development in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand's North Island, presented an opportunity to honour local Māori culture while also driving local economic growth and tourism.

Bringing together the right people for this project was key. Our collaboration with DCA Architects of Transformation married their cultural storytelling with our extensive experience delivering hotels across New Zealand. The eventual concept had ancient origins, drawn from Māori mythology. The site’s two buildings—a new hotel and the existing spa next door—would become a canvas for the timeless love story of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai. Creatively weaving the two sites together into one cohesive hospitality precinct.

Working across the instantly iconic exterior and considered interiors, the design respects cultural integrity, while also considering key commercial considerations. Traditional elements like the ceremonial gateway entrance align with Māori principles, while feathered screens wrap the façade mimicking the movement of the white hawk in flight. These are spaces designed to deliver authentic experiences for curious travellers, while also generating a vital return for all those invested in the vision.

Noho Lakeside Hotel connects deeply with Rotorua's landscape and people. It’s the latest in the Trust's journey to create developments that celebrate Māori heritage while building economic prosperity for many years to come.