As demand grows for natural materials that deliver both high performance and refined aesthetics, Big River Panels is leading the way with timber panel solutions that meet New Zealand’s most stringent fire compliance standards. A compelling example is the Manaaki Café refurbishment at Whangārei’s Hihiaua Cultural Centre, where Group 1-S rated Firesafe Décorply panels were specified to provide warmth, durability, and design continuity across key interior spaces.

Designed by Moller Architects, the Manaaki Café project transformed a disused hospitality venue into a vibrant café, function space, and commercial kitchen to support the growing cultural precinct. The brief called for materials that could meet aesthetic and safety criteria while preserving the architectural narrative established in earlier phases of the centre’s development. Firesafe Décorply from Big River Panels, which was used previously in Stage I, was once again selected for its performance and visual clarity.

The panels, finished in the elegant ‘Nude’ tone, were installed throughout the bathrooms and dining areas using stainless steel countersunk screws and cup washers, echoing Stage I detailing and reinforcing a cohesive design language. Manufactured in New Zealand, Firesafe Décorply combines FSC-certified timber veneers with a low-VOC, factory-applied UV finish and a fire-retardant substrate that achieves a Group 1-S rating, making it ideal for public and commercial interiors.

Architect Craig Moller notes, “We had used Firesafe Décorply on Stage One and continued the same design theme. It has now become part of the design language of Hihiaua Cultural Centre and part of their brand.”

The result is an interior that feels contemporary yet culturally grounded, delivering on both form and function.

About Big River Panels

The broader Big River Panels range includes acoustic, decorative, and fire-retardant timber solutions suited to hospitality, education, and civic environments. For architects prioritising proven performance with aesthetic integrity, Big River Panels offers engineered timber lining options that meet compliance while supporting sustainable, thoughtful design.