At the end of 2003 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise appointed Story Inc to design and build the New Zealand Pavilion at the World Expo at Aichi, near Nagoya, Japan.

The theme of the Expo was “Nature’s Wisdom”—the quest for a sustainable civilisation in the twenty-first century. The New Zealand pavilion, which highlighted our the great gift – and great responsibility – of our natural environment, was designed to be a refreshing interlude in the crowded Expo park. At its heart was a boulder of New Zealand jade which visitors were invited to touch – and did, in their millions.