The Oyster Inn

The Oyster Inn is a boutique offering including a restaurant, bar, shop, and accommodation situated on Waiheke Island, off the coast of Auckland, in New Zealand. 

The owners wanted to create a premium experience unlike any other in Oneroa, the main town on Waiheke—but they also wanted the Oyster Inn to feel as though it had always been there. Starting with the iconic striped awning—a feature of the sublime fitout by Katie Lockhart—we created a crafted, hand-painted identity that feels as free and easy as a breezy day on the beach. 

We insisted on honest production methods across all materials to ensure an authentic experience. We worked with a traditional signwriter, meaning that the handcrafted brand materials and signs are at once awkward and quirky, approachable and understated. The project included a full brand implementation from identity and collateral through to signage and a custom typeface. Beach towels, sunscreen lotion, and custom yellow Havaianas rounded out the offering.

The Oyster Inn quickly became world-famous, appearing in Conde Nast Traveller, Monocle, Travel & Leisure, and Harper’s Bazaar. In 2020, it was acquired by Josh and Helen Emett, who have started a new chapter for the Inn while preserving and protecting its DNA.