Visual design, Information Architecture, Web Design, Web Development
Auckland's Rainbow Hub. A Place to Belong
Te Whare Āniwaniwa is the new rainbow+ hub planned for Tāmaki Makaurau. As the organisation moved into a more public-facing phase of development, they needed a digital home that would reflect their vision of a warm, welcoming space where every member of the rainbow community could see themselves represented.
The Challenge
Te Whare Āniwaniwa is more than a building. It’s a movement in progress.
As a project still in development, Te Whare Āniwaniwa needed a digital identity that could inspire engagement now while anticipating a real-world future. Research and community kōrero revealed that the rainbow+ community is diverse and, at times, fractured, and that some groups weren’t sure this space would be for them.
The digital identity had to feel grounded in place, reflect the full spectrum of the rainbow community, and communicate trust, safety, and transparency to funders, partners, and community members alike.
The Approach
A place to belong.
From the beginning, I was influenced by the knowledge that this would one day be a real space. The design needed to live both on screen and in the world, evolving naturally into signage, wayfinding, and environmental design.
I developed a system of identity markers with words like gay, lesbian, takatāpui, MVPFAFF+, intersex, and more, designed to signal to every visitor, no matter their identity, background, or community, if they are part of the Rainbow+ community, then this is a space for them.
The visual language is warm, open, and designed to feel both civic and deeply rooted in community.
The Solution
Welcoming by design.
The tagline “A place to belong” threads through every page, transforming the site from a simple information hub into a heartfelt invitation.
Te Whare Āniwaniwa’s new website sets the foundation for a physical space that will grow with the same values: open, inclusive, and community-led.
