Our Philosophy

Our approach is informed by many years of experience and learnings made along the way. We adhere to strong principles and practices to ensure sustainable results and better outcomes for all involved.

Stay curious

Every project and the people it serves is unique. We undertake significant research to understand full context, and the quality of our work is built on a deep understanding of how people live, how they like to be entertained, and how to deliver to this within a sustainable business model. Through personal observation, we immerse ourselves in each place we are designing for, and conduct detailed research into social, environmental, commercial and political factors. Custom solutions are built from here. Talk to us about your next intriguing challenge.

Honour nature

We are deeply passionate about the natural world. Sustainable practice and innovation is central to our approach and we believe it is vital for any business that hopes to succeed in the future. As part of this, environmental education is central in our entertainment developments, as is the wellbeing of any living species housed within them. Contact us to learn more about our sustainability and environmental practices and principles.

Create connection

Our multi-disciplinary network of specialists spans the globe. Because we work all over the world, understanding and adapting to cultural and geographical diversity is central to our approach on every project, and we love the challenge. Collaborative practice and partnership with local communities, governments and investors is a core priority, with a focus on designing to create opportunities that improve people's lives, via employment, education and entertainment. In every project, our aim is to create a unique asset that generates pride and ownership within the local community.

Creating spaces that enrich lives and places

Our mission at Aquamarine is to bring a love and wonder for our diverse natural environment to people across the globe, through immersive experiences that educate, and enhance lives. Our projects deliver many benefits such as:

Why we do it:

Connecting people and communities
Increasing visitor wellbeing
Fostering local growth through employment and tourism
Supporting the environment
Education and conservation initiatives
Better lives through entertainment and lifestyle enjoyment

Aquamarine's mission is to inspire a love for the natural world through immersive and educational experiences that enrich lives. This mission aligns with traditional Māori values, which view all life as interconnected, with humans being an integral part of the natural order rather than superior to it. Central to this worldview is kaitiakitanga—the guardianship and protection of the environment—rooted in Mātauranga Māori (Māori Knowledge) and even reflected in New Zealand's environmental legislation.

Māori culture emphasizes a deep respect for the whenua (land) and the interconnectedness of all life, recognizing the stories and identities tied to every mountain, river, and tree. This philosophy is embodied in Tiaki—a commitment to care for and protect New Zealand’s environment, encouraging visitors to travel responsibly and foster a meaningful connection to the land.

Aquamarine further extends this philosophy through its promise to protect and promote indigenous cultures internationally by incorporating their knowledge and traditions into sustainable tourism models. By celebrating cultural diversity and fostering inclusion, Aquamarine creates experiences that preserve heritage while ensuring ecological and cultural sustainability.

The Tiaki Promise embodies this vision, inviting everyone to adopt an indigenous perspective, reflecting care and conservation in their actions while traveling. This approach underscores the harmony between protecting cultural heritage and the natural environment, ensuring these treasures endure for future generations

Global perspective

Aquamarine has core teams located in New Zealand, Russia and South Africa. Our global network of partners enable a multicultural perspective, meaning we have the ability to build our team around projects, which we have completed across the world.

Our offices located in

Russia, Moscow

Auckland, New Zealand

Cape Town, South Africa

Auckland, New Zealand
Russia, Moscow
Cape Town, South Africa

Entertain the possibilities

In Aquamarine's home base of New Zealand, we are the first country to see the new dawn each day, and this special spot in the world helps to shape our unique viewpoint. We're lucky to have many incredible natural environments on our doorstep and the natural world is hugely important to us. Perhaps this is what drives us to create projects that help others across the globe share in nature's wonders too.

We don't shy away from a challenge. We work with clients and communities in unique regions all over the world to help them build legacies and landmarks. Are you ready to start building yours?
Nicholas Traviss Aquamarine, Owner /Director

Two Generations of Innovation, 47 years in business, 1100+ projects.

Bob Traviss started R.K. Traviss Design in 1972, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Since our inception, Aquamarine has evolved into an international design and project consultancy.

From our early focus on architecture, to our specialization in aquariums, to our current focus on multi-feature bespoke developments and integrated biomes – we have always been passionate about enhancing human experience within built environments.

Throughout our evolution, we have stayed true to our roots – holding onto a respect for our natural environment, a commitment to outstanding delivery in true partnership with our clients, and a sensitivity to how our work can impact and improve lives.

1972: Bobby Traviss founds R.K. Traviss Design in Bay of Islands New Zealand
2002: Our second era begins, as Nicholas joins his father in the business, and R.K. Traviss Design becomes Traviss Design
2006: Bobby passes, and leaves his legacy to Nicholas, as the business continues to grow and diversify
2012: Aquamarine Projects embarks on a number of diverse nature-based entertainment projects including nature parks, water parks, botanic gardens and discovery centres.
2024: Aquamarine Projects diversifies into Tourism Masterplan and Environmental planning projects, Wellness Centers and also creates ‘Worldtree’, a new world-first concept.

Aquamarine acquires Marinescape Intellectual Property over its 40 year history as one of the Aquarium Industries founding members.

1972 - 2002: 30 years marks 977 individual projects completed in New Zealand's Northland Region
2002 - 2012: Traviss Design builds an international reputation as an expert consultancy in aquarium design, partnering with other leading Aquarium industry experts on over 150 projects over this time
2012 - 2019: Traviss Design expands into Aquamarine Projects – extending beyond aquariums into diverse entertainment and experience precinct projects
2010–2019: Aquamarine pioneers the new commercial Eco-Aquarium and champions Biome development as the sustainable future of entertainment design.
2019-2024: Aquamarine develops Tourism Masterplans with governments in the Asian Region with special emphasis on the preservation of indiginous cultures.