Hundertwasser Toilet Block, Kawakawa, New Zealand

Photo by Hannes Grobe

 Reclusive Austrian artist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, first came to New Zealand in the early 1970s accompanying an exhibition of his art.  He very quickly fell in love with the country and bought a large block of land near the tiny town of Kawakawa in the north of the North Island where he planned to fulfill his dream of working closely to nature.  He originally intended to spend only part of the year in New Zealand but it wasn't long before he decided to take out citizenship and make it his permanent home, living here from 1975 until his death in 2000 at the age of 71.

When Hundertwasser moved to New Zealand Kawakawa was a tired, run down, former coal mining town and the local Community Board was looking for ways to rejuvenate it.  They invited Hundertwasser to redesign the public toilet block in the middle of the main street. Little did they know what a huge asset to the town the toilets would become.

Photo by Berlin-George

After a successful career as an artist it wasn't until he was in his mid 50s that Hundertwasser started working as an architect incorporating his art ideas into his building designs. His architecture is notable for the use of wavy lines, irregularly shaped tiles, recycled materials and living nature such as trees and grasses. The Kawakawa toilets include bricks from the town's demolished Bank of New Zealand building and bottles from the town's recycling plant. Hundertwasser also wanted to ensure that his buildings married with the landscape that surrounds them.  He insisted that any vegetation removed to build the toilet block be replanted on its roof.  The toilets also surround a living tree which reaches up and through the roof. 

Right and below: The grasses on the roof and the entry way with the tree growing up through the roof

                            

Above: Interior views. The entry door on the left is made from all sorts of recycled materials and objects

Hundertwasser designed more than 30 public buildings in many different countries from hotels to this humble but spectacular toilet block. From the day it opened in 1999 it has become an important tourist attraction with more than a quarter of a million tourists a year stopping to either "spend a penny" or simply admire it and take photos. Cafes have sprung up nearby to cater for the crowds giving the little town a buzzy, busy atmosphere, a fulfillment of the Community Board's big plan.   The toilet block was Hundertwasser's last project, opening not long before his death.  Note: The toilet stalls were all in use when I visited so I could not get photos.  Be assured they are as interesting and quirky as the rest of the building.

Adjoining the toilet block, located in the Hundertwasser Memorial Park is a new library, art gallery and community centre.  Opened in 2020 the library building, although not designed by Hundertwasser is a tribute to him incorporating some of his themes and ideas.  It is also well worth a look.

Below: the Library building and the library toilets

The toilets are located at 60 Gillies St, Kawakawa, right in the heart of the main street.  They are immaculately clean.