Dulux New Zealand in the Community

Dulux sponsors and partners with not-for-profits, communities, Kiwi athletes and more to protect and support the places and things that matter most to New Zealanders. Explore their partnerships to find out more about how Dulux uses product and colour to protect and decorate New Zealand.

Dulux and the Department of Conservation

From New Zealand's northernmost island, Raoul Island to the subantarctic Auckland Islands, Dulux and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai have been working together since 2013 to protect backcountry DOC huts, historic buildings and other facilities for future generations to enjoy.

DOC's huts have long provided essential shelter for Kiwi outdoor enthusiasts and international visitors. Situated in a variety of landscapes from alpine to coastal settings these huts are often exposed to New Zealand’s harshest and most extreme weather conditions. They protect visitors who seek shelter, and this partnership helps to protect the huts themselves. The partnership also supports projects that protect and restore recreational and historic assets. Many of these assets require specialist support and technical expertise to restore them, and this is where Dulux is able to support. Dulux donates paint, woodcare, project funds and technical and design expertise.

Dulux are proud to support the Department of Conservation in protecting the natural and historic heritage sites that have inspired the Dulux Colours of New Zealand.

Dulux and Surf Life Saving New Zealand

Dulux has partnered with Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) to protect Surf Life Saving clubs against the harsh New Zealand weather conditions they face throughout the year.

First arriving on the shores of New Zealand in 1910 at Lyall Bay and New Brighton, SLSNZ is a charity representing 74 Surf Life Saving clubs across New Zealand, and over 4500 volunteer Surf Lifeguards who patrol at over 80 locations through summer as well as 40 Emergency Call Out Squads throughout the year.

Many clubs are situated in the places that inspired the Dulux Colours of New Zealand paint range. Dulux is helping to protect the clubs that call these beautiful New Zealand places home.

Dulux and the Antarctic Heritage Trust

Dulux’s connection with Sir Edmund Hillary’s Hut is a fascinating one. Dulux paint has been protecting this building for years, in one of the most challenging conservation environments on earth.

When the Antarctic Heritage Trust (AHT) was undertaking the conservation of Hillary’s Hut in time for Scott Base’s 60th anniversary, Dulux worked with AHT to recreate the original paint colours so the building could be returned to its heritage colours. The 1957 colours of the hut were bright, to make it stand out in a snowstorm. The original paint — inside and out — came from the company Berger, now owned by Dulux. Flakes of the original paint were brought to the Dulux Colour Services Team for colour matching. Searching Berger’s archives, the original formulas were able to be matched so the colours could be recreated. Six new custom colours were created by Dulux, and Antarctic Heritage Trust was invited to name them.

Exterior yellow — ‘Pram Point’, the geographic location of Scott Base

Exterior orange trim — ‘Sno-Cat’, the colour of the vehicle used by Vivian Fuchs

Exterior flues yellow — ‘Ponder’, after the architect of Scott Base, Frank Ponder

Radio room green/blue — ‘Transmission’, because of the function of the Radio Room

Kitchen cabinetry mint green — ‘Heke’, after Scott Base construction foreman Randall Heke

Hillary’s room yellow — ‘Armitage Loop’, the name of the sea-ice road between Scott Base and the ship

The conservation team achieved a remarkable transformation of the Hillary’s Hut exterior. The team used paint brushes rather than rollers to give the hut a 1950s finish. The retro paintwork was internationally recognised with the Trust winning the International Category of the Dulux Colour Awards in 2017.

The Hillary’s Hut VR tour experience

Dulux New Zealand have now partnered with Antarctic Heritage Trust (AHT) to bring the Hillary’s Hut — Antarctica Virtual Reality Experience to New Zealanders. This immersive VR experience of the hut, with archival footage and images, shows what life was like for Sir Edmund Hillary’s party of 23 men, engaged in exploration and scientific research in the world’s most extreme environment. AHT are taking the VR experience to schools, community venues, and events around the country with Dulux as New Zealand Tour Sponsor.

Community projects and paint donations
Dulux donates paint to community fundraising programmes and not-for-profits in New Zealand so they can realise their projects and protect their causes and communities. Get in touch here