Accor has officially opened the Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel, which is now part of the largest hotel operator's portfolio in New Zealand.
A unique fusion of cultural design, superior architecture, and premium hospitality, this is the first five-star hotel located at the Auckland Airport.
Its name 'Te Arikinui' is bestowed upon it by the Māori King Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII, and its architecture is inspired by the discovery by the Tainui waka following their arrival at Manukau Harbour in 1350. The 'Sea to Sky' concept is a tribute to the Tainui.
The hotel's architects are Warren and Mahoney, and the hotel's cultural design elements are created by Renata Te Wiata, Carving Manager of Waikato Tainui.
RenataTe Wiata learned how to carve from his father, Inia Te Wiata, who was a Master Carver for Waikato-Tainui for many years. The principles of Kiingitanga are deeply rooted in every piece of Renata's work, giving him a sense of purpose in the creative and carving process.
His cultural designs at the Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel tell tribal stories and have historical meanings and include designs of the five taniwha that guided Tainui waka to Aotearoa and the taaniko designs found on the feather and muka cloaks in Kiingi Tuheitia's private whare taonga collection.
With exteriors that display cultural designs, the hotel's interiors exude comfortable luxury, including the 311 guestrooms and Te Kaahu restaurant, designed by the Space Studio team.
The décor also features a custom-designed carpet referencing the ocean wash as it reaches the shores of the Manukau Harbour.
Te Kaahu restaurant is headed by esteemed chef Nancye Pirini, offering a modern take on traditional New Zealand cuisine.
Pirini's passion for cooking started with her resourceful mother, who could always create delicious dishes on a tight budget, no matter how empty the pantry was.
She completed her studies at Auckland Hotel & Chefs Training School and Manukau Institute of Technology and worked part-time as a line chef at Manurewa Returned Services' Association.
In 2005, Pirini joined the Dine, Sky City team, working under the world-renowned Chef Peter Gordon. In two years, she became his Executive Sous Chef.
Beyond the restaurant sits the Te Kaahu lounge, an exclusive haven for meetings, relaxation, and dining.
The hotel also features a gymnasium, Toorea and Kootare meeting rooms, Kuriri Café and Eatery, and other amenities. Highly regarded New Zealand fashion designer Kiri Nathan designed signature pieces for the women's front office uniform, such as capes, jackets, and blouses inspired by the hotel.
Auckland Airport and Tainui Group Holdings jointly own the hotel. The hotel is the third Pullman hotel to open in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and is joining another eighteen Pullman hotels across Australia and the Pacific.
The hotel's opening is well-timed, with global travel making a strong comeback after the last three years.
