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| Formation | 1905, reformed by Architects Act 1963 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional body |
| Location |
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Region served | New Zealand |
| Membership | about 4000 |
President | Huia Reriti |
Interim chief executive | Mark Abbot |
| Website | nzia |
TheNew Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) (Māori:Te Kāhui Whaihanga) is a membership-basedprofessional 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.
Established in 1905 the institute is changed in the 1960s due toArchitects Act 1963 splitting functions split between the Institute and theNew Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).[2][3] It became an incorporated society in 1992.[4]
In 2019 the Institute changed its name to add aMāori Language part: Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects. This process of doing this was done with theMāori design networkNgā Aho. In the process the name was gifted byHaare Williams. He 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 2019 NZIA also signed a covenant with Ngā Aho to include how the Institute could acknowledge theTreaty of Waitangi, as well as Māori. NZIA CouncillorElisapeta Heta had this to say of the convent and what it might mean: "...in your role as an architect, you would think about your role askaitiaki, as a guardian of the places we’re making, and there would probably be an automatically shift, regardless of budget and client."[5]
Governance of the Institute is undertaken by the NZIA Council, led by an elected President, which meets four times a year.[6]
Current Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Board:
Past presidents includeJudith Taylor (2022–2024) andJudi Keith-Brown (2020–2022).
The institute also functions to celebrate outstanding architecture, in part by presenting annual awards for excellence in architecture.[9][10] 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 SirIan Athfield, SirMiles Warren,John Scott andTed McCoy, each of whom has made a powerful contribution to the practice of architecture in New Zealand. These were first awarded in 2015/16.[11]
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 FellowJohn Sutherland, in recognition of his influence on the architectural profession.[12][13]
The president of the NZIA can also elect to give a certain number of President's Awards each year to those who have made a significant contribution to architecture, which can be given to awarded to non-architects as well as architects.[14]
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 ajoint venture with The Warren Trust, a charitable organisation in honour ofSir Miles Warren.[15][16]
The institute is not responsible for the registration of architects, which is within the purview of theNew 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.[17]
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 2025, the distinguished fellows are Nick Bevin, Barry Dacombe, Richard Harris,Lindley Naismith,Maurice Mahoney,Anne Salmond, Graeme Scott,Julie Stout, John Sutherland, andChristina van Bohemen.[18]
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."[19]
Nancy Northcroft is the first known woman to have received this honour in 1966.[20] Other women who have received fellow honours includedLillian Chrystall, Claire Chambers and Ellen Brinkman.[21][22]
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