Case Study
Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui
Wellington City Library. Complete interior and exterior signage system across 5 floors.
The Project
Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui Project Overview
Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui is Wellington City Library. The name translates to “a window to the wider world” and reflects the library’s role as a reimagined civic landmark at the heart of Wellington’s cultural life, a place for communities to learn, create, and connect.
Signbiz was appointed through a competitive tender process, winning on the strength of our relevant case studies, unique capabilities, and a comprehensive pricing strategy. From the outset, we operated as a creative partner rather than a traditional delivery supplier. An exploratory phase was led by the Signbiz team to investigate materials and fabrication methodologies, which informed the creative direction and led to a fully approved programme of works.
The project was delivered in close collaboration with Athfield Architects, wayfinding designer Nick Kapica, Extended Whānau, Tihei Limited and the Mana Whenua Reference Group, and the Wellington City Council creative team. Multiple prototypes and signage concepts were developed across this group to ensure the library’s identity was expressed consistently across all environments.
Signbiz Wellington managed the full delivery from August 2025 to May 2026:
Client
Wellington City Council
Sector
Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui (Wellington City Library)
location
Wellington, New Zealand
Scope
Full interior and exterior signage system
Services
- Fabrication
- UV printing
- cut vinyl
- powder coating
- installation
- training
- handover
Completed
April 2026
Floors
- Basement,
- Ground,
- Mezzanine,
- Levels 1–4
Signs Produced
5,000+ items across 2+ sign types
the Brief
A complete signage system for a high-use public building
The signage system needed to work across a multi-floor public building with high foot traffic, diverse visitor needs, and a commitment to te reo Māori throughout. The brief required a complete interior wayfinding system covering Basement, Ground, Mezzanine and Levels 1 to 4, blade signage mounted to columns and walls using a custom-designed mounting system that avoided permanent structural fixing where possible, and stack categorisation signage for thousands of items across the library’s collection.
Environmental graphics were required to reflect the library’s brand and cultural identity, including the Te Hei Manifestations on glass, decorative elements that also serve as vision strips to prevent accidents. The exterior required building identification signs built to last in Wellington’s coastal environment, using materials specified for a 7 to 10 year lifespan.
The handover package was a specific requirement: Wellington City Council needed maintenance guidance for every sign type, estimated lifespans for every material, and a cut vinyl training document with Adobe Illustrator templates so the library team could produce and apply minor updates themselves using the in-house Makerspace.
What We Delivered
Sign categories across the Entire building
Mounting systems
Seven custom mounting systems fabricated from mild steel and aluminium, engineered to suit each installation point across the building.
wayfinding blades
Eight blade sign types in powder-coated aluminium covering directionals, beacons, floor levels, and directory boards on every floor.
Stack ends & Inserts
250+ stack ends UV direct printed and installed across shelving systems on all library floors. Plus 1,000+ inserts and dividers in ABS plastic and acrylic
Environmental graphics
110 linear metres of vision strips, the Nōku Te Ao cultural graphics, and Te Hei Manifestations across 38 windows and doors.
building Identification
406 door and room name signs covering 45m² and applied to glass, doors and walls throughout the building. Stairwell identifiers across three stairwells.
External Building
Sand-cast aluminium entrance signs for Harris St and the Mezzanine. Each sign uses an backing plate, powder coated for a medium texture finish.
Sign Volumes
| Sign Type | Produced | Installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single destination blades (B1) | 26 | 21 | Cut vinyl graphics both sides |
| Double destination blades (B2) | 17 | 11 | Cut vinyl graphics both sides |
| Beacon blades (B3) | 23 | 19 | Hung by long edge to column rings |
| Square blades (B4) | 15 | 15 | Floor levels, toilets, buggy parking |
| Directory boards (B5) | 23 | 18 | UV printed vinyl, matte laminate |
| Mezzanine directionals (B7) | 9 | 3 | UV printed vinyl, matte laminate |
| Large directory boards (B8) | 2 | 1 | Ground floor near escalators |
| Stack ends S1A (hook over) | 230 | 178 | UV direct printed face |
| Stack ends S1B (canopy top) | 35 | 35 | Screwed to stack tops |
| Stack end inserts (S1C) | 1080 | 726 | Templates supplied for self-management |
| Stack dividers (S2) | 700 | 532 | 2mm ABS plastic, cut vinyl |
| Record / DVD / CD dividers | 103 | 103 | 4mm white acrylic, UV printed |
| Door / room / location names | 406 | 406 | Cut vinyl, 45m² total coverage |
| Te Hei Manifestations | 38 | 38 | Ultra-clear PVC-free vinyl, 350m² |
| Building ID signs (Harris St + Mezzanine) | 2 | 2 | Sand-cast aluminium letters, 7–10yr lifespan |
Gallery
The Project in Pictures
A message from Wellington City Council
Testimonials
Our Approach
Managing the installation across an active public building
The library stayed open throughout the build, which meant coordinating access floor by floor and sequencing installation around the public without disrupting their day. When issues came up on site, like a column conduit on Level 1 needing a custom mounting ring with a hinge mechanism, we designed the solution and kept the install on track.
Te reo Māori ran through every sign in the building. Every macron is correct. The typeface, Die Grotesk B Medium, licensed by Wellington City Council for Te Matapihi, was applied consistently across all 38 sign types. We worked closely with Tihei Māori design consultancy and Extended Whānau throughout to make sure the cultural expression was right, not just the spelling.
We produced Adobe Illustrator templates for every sign category the library team will need to update themselves, and delivered a cut vinyl training document so they can use the in-house Makerspace for minor changes without calling us. The handover document covers lifespans, maintenance, reordering contacts, and procedures for every sign type across the building.
Finished on time. Under budget.
the Result
A complete, future-proofed signage system
The full signage system was completed and handed over in April 2026, covering every floor of the building from Basement to Level 4. Wellington City Council received not just installed signs but a complete operational framework for managing, maintaining, and updating the system going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Te Matapihi Ki Te Ao Nui, Wellington City Council required a handover package covering estimated lifespans for every material across all 38 sign types, maintenance procedures, reordering contacts, and a cut vinyl training document. Signbiz produced Adobe Illustrator templates for every sign category that the library team would need to update in-house, so staff could apply minor changes themselves using the library’s own Makerspace.
Carefully, and in collaboration with the right people. At Te Matapihi Wellington City Library our team in Wellington worked with Tihei Māori and Extended Whānau throughout. Every macron was checked and signed off before any vinyl went up. The typeface, Die Grotesk B Medium, was specified to display te reo correctly.
Yes. Te Matapihi Wellington City Library was open the whole time. Our Teams in Wellington sequenced floor by floor, working around library users and staff without disrupting their day. The job was delivered on time and under budget.
Why Choose Signbiz?
What sets us apart.
In addition to premium signage, and great service, Signbiz is pleased to offer its ‘Workmanship Guarantee’ to give customers additional confidence in every project delivered.
As the saying goes, You get what you pay for.
