KiwiRail’s Great Journeys New Zealand has achieved notable recognition at the prestigious Best Design Awards, winning Gold in the Spatial Design category for its new Scenic Plus signature carriage designs.
The awards ceremony, held on Friday night, also honored the team with Silver in the Large Brand Identity category and Bronze in the Environmental Graphics category for their innovative Manuhiri brand concept and design.
“We are incredibly proud to see our Manuhiri branding recognized in such a significant way,” said Tracey Goodall, General Manager of Great Journeys New Zealand and Commuter. “Our team invested over three years crafting exquisite and meaningful designs to enhance our new premium offering.”
Faced with the challenge of developing a premium rail experience alongside its core services, Great Journeys New Zealand committed early on to a substantial investment in design and storytelling to shape the creation of its Scenic Plus product.
Ms. Goodall explained that the new carriages were thoughtfully designed to provide a premium atmosphere, aiming to attract visitors to New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and regions. KiwiRail recognized the importance of delivering a world-class, distinctly New Zealand design for these carriages.
“Everything was executed locally, from collaborating with the design company Designworks to our KiwiRail team bringing the new carriage interiors to life in Wellington,” she noted.
“The concept of manuhiri inspired a signature aesthetic and service style, drawing on the colors, textures, and forms of our native birdlife and their natural habitats,” Ms. Goodall added. “The design reflects our rich cultural heritage and aims to create a lasting and memorable impression on our manuhiri.”
This week, a new Scenic Plus signature carriage featuring the award-winning branding was added to the Coastal Pacific Scenic train, with the final signature carriage set to launch on the Northern Explorer by the end of this year.
The Best Design Awards are recognized as Australasia’s largest annual showcase of excellence across various design disciplines. KiwiRail previously received funding through the Provincial Growth Fund in 2019 to support the development of the new carriages.
You Might Be Interested In:
