Wellington City Libraries is auctioning twelve seats designed by renowned studio furnituremaker, sculptor and design educator, Carin Wilson for a charity fundraiser (less Dunbar Sloane’s commission).

With the re-strengthening and re-design of Te Matapihi starting in late 2022, we have stored a number of fittings and furniture, including examples of the unique seating Carin Wilson designed for Te Matapihi when it opened in the 1990s. After working with a heritage advisor and Athfield Architects, we will reuse over half of the designer seats in Te Matapihi. We identified four Kura Kowhatu chairs and eight of the plywood chairs which will be put forward for auction with Dunbar Sloane. The first one was in early December 2021 and the second one will open on 22 March. The proceeds (less the auction house’s commission) will be donated to a charity that will be confirmed in late April 2022.

People can bid for their own part of Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui (Central Library) at the Dunbar Sloane website.