The design and construction of the project lead innovations in stakeholder engagement processes, prototyping using 3D printing and special mould design to replicate the panel design. The panel design is directly influenced by the local Iwi and are symbols of guardianship and protection echoing the benefits of the acoustic barrier. The narrative of the design depicts a waka within a river, represented by the motorway, transporting people such as it was in the past.

A conceptual framework and series of cultural narratives was developed to inform the design of the noise wall panels. The primary theme draws comparisons between historic river transportation corridors used by Maori, and the motorway corridor as modern day equivalent. This idea is explored through a reimagining of the motorway corridor as an awa (river), and expressed through the use of a bold blue/green colour scheme representing the depth, movement, and reflectivity of water. This theme is further reinforced through reference to waka, and the incorporation of taurapa (sternpost) and tauihu (prow) elements at each end of the project (still to be installed).