Upon opening, the multi-award winning NZI Centre achieved an NZGBC 5 Star Green Star Rating for Office Design. In 2015, after documenting a 17% reduction in energy use, this rating was increased to 5.5 Stars. As a result, NZI Centre  continues to be one of Auckland's most sustainably-designed and high-performing buildings.

The NZI Building fronts onto the intersection of Fanshawe Street and Market Road, a car-dominated arterial intersection which marks gateways into the Auckland CBD and the waterfront. The building provides a physical buffer to the finer scaled pedestrian street network established around the Auckland Viaduct.

A key design feature is the 21m high internal atrium facing east towards the city. Situated behind the building’s primary façade, the atrium is overlooked by all office floors.

The high-performance façade is double glazed on the southern and eastern elevations, with twin skin–triple glazing to the north. Exterior shading protects the western façade.

Other environmental initiatives include use of the atrium for return air ventilation; increased natural light penetration to office floors with reduced floor plate depth and south-facing skylights; sustainable waste management; specification of low toxicity materials including a predominance of timber; and cyclist-friendly facilities (lockers and showers) to encourage people to bike to work. Lifts generate electricity, and a rooftop garden collects rainwater for flushing toilets.