New Zealand Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai | Jasmax

Jasmax - architects

Special Group - creative storytelling 

Mott MacDonald - engineering services

The pavilion theme is kaitiakitanga, our Care for People and Place and for future generations. The pavilion was inspired by waka taonga, receptacles made by Māori to safe-guard items of considerable intrinsic value. The beautifully carved containers, which included waka huia and papahou are important cultural symbols for protection and the maintenance of values and practices. They were also gifted to consolidate relationships, create new partnerships and maintain traditions and stories from one generation to the next.

The architectural concept was a way of signifying bringing people together and it reflects the Connecting Minds, Creating the Future theme of Expo 2020. At Expo 2020, we will present our waka taonga, a receptacle for essential aspects of our country’s identity and values. The structure celebrates culture, architecture and engineering and reflects New Zealand's spirit of innovation and high-tech production. New Zealand’s gift to the world is our kaitiakitanga, our unique approach to sustainability, our care for people and place and for future generations.

The United Arab Emirates will host 180 countries and 25 million visitors to Dubai for a six month World Expo from October 2020. Participating nations will showcase their economic and trade capabilities alongside their culture and values.