Tomorrow’s architects

All parties recognise there is a long way to go to embed Ma¯ori and Pasifika culture in our built environment, and are aware of the challenges.

‘‘Architecture is a tough industry,’’ says Elisapeta Heta. ‘‘Burnout is common for young Ma¯ori and also women. We see it happen but we also understand we have an important role to be political in architecture – to be advocates for better built environments.’’

Dr Deirdre Brown says there are scholarships available, and the school of architecture at Auckland University is looking at additional ways to encourage more Ma¯ori and Pasifika students to enter architecture – numbers have dropped recently. People from refugee backgrounds and of different abilities are also a focus.

And the Waka Ma¯ia team has plans to reach out to students in high schools. Already, Jasmax has a scholarship programme.

Early in December, Ben Tunui (Nga¯ti Awa, Te A¯ tiawa) won the top prize in the Te Ka¯hui Whaihanga (NZIA) Resene Student Design Awards, a national competition for final-year architecture students.

Tunui says his project, called Utu, ‘‘draws architectural form and spatial composition from Ma¯ori rituals of encounter, and questions how elements of contemporary tikanga Ma¯ori can be expressed architecturally’’.

The judges comments were unanimous: ‘‘Ben’s thesis presentation marks the emergence of a genuinely important new voice in New Zealand architecture,’’ Judi Keith-Brown said.

‘‘Ben’s clear proposition, methodical interrogation of his idea, creative exposition of his findings, and beautiful yet tangible final designs reveal an already impressive architectural mind at work.’’

Former architect, educator and cultural design adviser Keri Whaitiri was also impressed: ‘‘This is a visionary architecture that is immersed in whakapapa, wairua, tikanga, kawa – and aroha.

‘‘Ma¯ori architecture and material culture has long been subject to colonial definition through Western instruments of cartography, anthropology, history and theory.

‘‘This project offers a staged methodology that allows for innovative and experimental development of propositions as described in a rich and alluring selection of images, drawings and models.’’

The future is indeed bright.