Te Kawana Mill
A heritage treasure restored
Commissioned by Whanganui District Council, this project grew from an interpretive master plan we developed for the wider district. Te Kawana Mill, halfway point of the Whanganui River Road, sees increasing visitor traffic as a gateway to the Whanganui National Park and a key stop on the Te Araroa national walking trail. The site itself is magical—walk down the path and you are transported to another era.
The mill has a rich history dating back to the 1850s and is the last remaining flour mill in Aotearoa, giving it category 1 Historic Place status. The buildings and milling equipment have been saved and rebuilt through an incredible community restoration project. We worked closely with the Whanganui Heritage Trust and collaborated with the Victoria University Museum Studies department, bringing students on board to assist with research into the content. This collaborative process allowed us to unearth the right narratives to honour the mill's past and engage the growing number of visitors passing through.
Materials needed to be highly robust to withstand the rugged river environment. We opted for printed plywood panels that tie in seamlessly with the rustic, historic feel of the mill. To complete the experience, we commissioned rich storytelling illustrations that bring the site’s unique history to life, creating an immersive journey into the past for every visitor.
