People travel across the globe to see towering skyscrapers, ancient ruins, and grand museums. But in a small town in northern New Zealand, busloads of international tourists arrive every day just to photograph a public bathroom.
Located on the main street of Kawakawa, this structure features wavy lines, walls made of recycled glass bottles, and a live tree growing straight through the roof. It is a fully functional restroom, yet it stands as the final completed work of art of a reclusive Austrian and New Zealand artist.
A Unique Design by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
The Hundertwasser Toilets sit at 60 Gillies Street. The facility was conceived and designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, a visual artist and architect. He lived near Kawakawa from 1975 until he died in 2000 at the age of 71. Opened in 1999, this structure is the only project he designed in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is also the very last architectural project completed during his lifetime. The building showcases his specific style, avoiding straight lines in favor of undulating structures and wildly irregular, colorful ceramic tiles.
Built From Recycled Bottles and Bank Bricks
Construction of the toilet block relied heavily on repurposed and locally sourced materials. The builders utilized spent glass bottles gathered from the local community to create vibrant colored glass elements within the walls. They also integrated bricks salvaged from a former Bank of New Zealand branch.
Hundertwasser specifically requested that any vegetation removed during the building process be carefully saved. Workers replanted these native plants directly onto the structure’s green roof. He also incorporated small sculptures and a live tree seamlessly into the architecture.
The Most Photographed Toilet in New Zealand
Functionally, the building operates exactly like an ordinary public restroom with separate areas for men and women. However, it operates primarily as a major international tourist attraction. It is the main draw for the town of Kawakawa and holds the title of the most photographed toilet in New Zealand.
The number of people who arrive on tour buses simply to view and photograph the architecture far exceeds the number of individuals who actually use the facilities. Curious visitors frequently inspect both the men’s and women’s stalls after giving a suitable advance warning to anyone inside.
Expanding the Kawakawa Tourist Destination
In October 2020, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern opened the Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park adjacent to the famous restroom. A community trust spearheaded the development, led by Noma Shepherd, a community leader who previously worked as Hundertwasser’s farm manager.
The complex features a library, a visitor information center, a cafe, and freedom camping facilities, adding new amenities to the site that draws travelers to Kawakawa.
