New Zealand Institute of Architects

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is a membership-based professional organisation that represents approximately 90 per cent of registered architects in Aotearoa New Zealand and supports and promotes architecture in New Zealand.^[1]

The organisation was founded in 1905 and is committed to supporting members by providing ongoing professional training and material and services that are essential to their work.

The Institute has eight branches throughout the country and is headed by a President who serves a two-year term. The day-to-day functions of the Institute are undertaken by an Auckland-based team led by a chief executive.

Due to the Architects Act 1963 splitting functions between the Institute and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), [2][3] the Institute became an incorporated society in 1992,[4] while the NZRAB retains responsibility for the registration of architects.

In 2019, the Institute was gifted the name Te Kāhui Whaihanga by Dr Haare Williams (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tūhoe), MNZM who said: “The name Te Kāhui Whaihanga is not only about architecture, but it’s also about building a nation; building a future and building a people. It's to do with identity.”[5]

In 2017, representatives of the Institute and Ngā Aho, the society of Māori design professionals, signed Te Kawenata o Rata, a covenant that formalises an ongoing relationship of co-operation between the two groups.

Governance of the Institute is undertaken by the NZIA Council, led by an elected President, which meets four times a year.^[2]

Current Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Board

• President: Huia Reriti^[3]
• Auckland director: Michael Thomson
• Gisborne & Hawke's Bay director: Chris Ainsworth
• Waikato & Bay of Plenty Director: Evan Mayo
• Western director: Felicity Wallace
• Wellington director: Carrinya Feaunati^[4]
• Nelson & Marlborough director: Simon Hall
• Canterbury director: Michael Smith
• Southern director: Tim Ross
• Co-Opted Emerge representative: Harry Platt
• Co-Opted Ngā Aho representative: Matt Ritani

Past presidents include Judith Taylor (2022–2024) and Judi Keith-Brown (2020–2022).

The institute also functions to celebrate outstanding architecture, in part by presenting annual awards for excellence in architecture.^[5][6] The awards programme consists of Local Awards, run by each of the institute's eight branches, and New Zealand Awards, a national level distinction.

The Institute’s ‘named awards’ are conferred in categories of public, commercial, educational and residential architecture, and are named for the influential New Zealand architects Sir Ian Athfield, Sir Miles Warren, John Scott and Ted McCoy, each of whom has made a powerful contribution to the practice of architecture in New Zealand.

In 2022, the Institute introduced the John Sutherland Practice Award to honour individuals, groups, or collectives for their influence and impact on architecture. The award recognises wider architectural endeavours such as professional practice, advocacy, research, and building science. The award is named after Distinguished Fellow John Sutherland, in recognition of his influence on the architectural profession.^[7][8]

Since 2015, the Warren Trust Awards for Architectural Writing have been awarded by the Institute for inventive and meaningful architectural writing. The awards are categorised by age: Tamariki (0-13 years), Rangatahi (14-18 years), and Open (18+ years). The awards are a joint venture with The Warren Trust, a charitable organisation in honour of Sir Miles Warren.^[9][10]

The institute is not responsible for the registration of architects, which is within the purview of the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).

The most prestigious honour in New Zealand architecture is the Gold Medal, which is conferred to an individual or group for their outstanding contribution to the practice of architecture, demonstrated through the production of a consistently high-quality body of work over a period of time.^[11]

The Institute honours up to 10 living Distinguished Fellows, who are recognised as being an exceptional influence on or contributor to architecture in New Zealand”. As of 2024, the distinguished fellows are Brian Aitken, Nick Bevin, Richard Harris, Maurice Mahoney, Anne Salmond, Graeme Scott, Julie Stout, John Sutherland, and Christina van Bohemen.^[12]

The New Zealand Institute of Architects recognises and honours architects, academics or retired architects who have "achieved a high standing in the profession" or "given meritorious service to the profession or institute."

Nancy Northcroft is the first known women to have received this honour in 1966.^[13] Other women who have received fellow honours are Lillian Chrystall, Claire Chambers^[14] and Ellen Brinkman.^[15]

• Architecture of New Zealand

• New Zealand Institute of Architects
• NZIA Gold Medal