Whare Kiore
The Whare Kiore (biosecurity building) is the first building the 20,000 yearly visitors to Matiu/Somes Island encounter and must pass through before exploring the rest of the Island. All visitors spend 20 minutes here being greeted by rangers and searching their own bags and clothing for unwanted pests and seeds to help maintain the island’s pest-free status. As first impressions are crucial, it was felt it was time for a refresh.
Given its location near the sea, the building has borne the brunt of the salt-laden environment and required a full exterior repaint. Because the Whare is not a historic building, there was also an opportunity to refresh the colour scheme during the repaint. This involved using Dulux’s exterior products, Weathershield® Gloss and Aquanamel® Gloss.
Weathershield Gloss was used for both the whares cladding and windows, using colours from Dulux’s Colours of New Zealand range: Lake Mangamahoe and Colorsteel® Gull Grey. The doors were repainted using Kamo Aquanamel Gloss, another from the Dulux Colours of New Zealand range.
The project also included a crucial ventilation upgrade with the non-opening aluminium windows replaced with double-glazed opening windows to provide much-needed ventilation during biosecurity checks.
This transformation involved a range of volunteers and a variety of Dulux paints, resulting in a well-deserved upgrade. Whare Kiore will continue to serve the visitors of Matiu/Somes Island, although now the Whare will leave an everlasting first impression.
Dulux and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai have been working together to protect backcountry DOC huts, historic buildings and other facilities for future generations to enjoy.
DOC manages a network of over 950 huts of all shapes and sizes. They provide unique places to stay, refuge from bad weather, or rest and recover when you're out exploring the outdoors. Find out more about bookable huts.
Explore more DOC huts in the North Island
The Mimiwhangata Beach House is self-contained and sleeps 8, and is comfortable accommodation beside Northland's beautiful Okupe Beach.
The Rangipo Hut is a serviced 20-bunk hut in the Tūrangi/Taupō area. It is the highest on the Ruapehu circuit and faces east, with views over the Desert Road and Kaimanawa Ranges.
Sunrise Hut occupies a position right on the bush line in Buttercup Hollow in the sunny Hawke's Bay and was built in 1983.