Mana Mokopuna Office Fitout
A workplace designed around children and whānau calls for warmth, creativity and a welcoming atmosphere. At Mana Mokopuna Children’s Commission in Wellington, these qualities come together through colour, natural textures and thoughtfully detailed spaces.
Designed by DGSE (Design Group Stapleton Elliott), the 800m² workplace is known as Te Puna, meaning “the spring” or “life-giving water source”.
For the organisation’s first purpose-built workplace, the brief extended beyond everyday office functionality. The space also needed to feel approachable and comfortable for the tamariki, young people and whānau who visit.
Bringing warmth through oak
Our Wave 41 Oak veneer panels feature across cabinetry and adjoining wall surfaces, introducing natural timber tones and a softly sculpted texture.
The vertical profile creates a sense of continuity between the taller panelling and cabinetry below. Integrated display shelving breaks up the surface, providing space for objects and artwork, while curved cabinetry ends carry the texture around corners and soften the joinery’s overall form.
Using the same profile across these elements gives the cabinetry a cohesive, architectural presence. The oak grain and gentle wave pattern add depth without overwhelming the surrounding interior.
The finished project demonstrates how profiled timber panelling can become an integral part of cabinetry design. At Te Puna, it connects storage, display and wall finishes, helping create a workplace with warmth and character.
Project: Mana Mokopuna Children’s Commission — Te Puna
Location: Level 4, 126 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Designer: DGSE (Design Group Stapleton Elliott)
Builder: Maycroft
Feature Panel product: Wave 41 Oak veneer
Year: 2025
Photography: Gleeson & Royfee Photography
Products Used:
Wave 41
