The three high initiatives had been chosen from amongst 15 Finalists from throughout Aotearoa that participated in Awards this yr, making 2025 the most important competitors but produced by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects.
Mila Makasini from Te Kura Matatini ki Otago — Otago Polytechnic, Faculty of Structure was the winner of the 2025 Resene Scholar Design Awards for his undertaking ‘Lalava’i Fonua: Lashing & Weaving [of, in, with] folks, place, tradition’.
This was the primary yr that college students from Otago Polytechnic participated within the Awards, following the structure programme’s accreditation from the NZRAB earlier this yr.
Additionally recognised for excellence with Extremely Recommended awards had been (in alphabetical order):
Amelia Lee Chee from Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau — Auckland College of Expertise, for her undertaking ‘Fale Tupu: An Indigenous Toolkit for Designing Culturally Grounded Dwelling Environments with Pasifika Communities in Aotearoa ’.
Sarah McLeod-Venu from Te Herenga Waka — Victoria College of Wellington, for her undertaking ‘Fa’a’ato’atoa: From Fractals to Fullness’.
Jury convenor and Perehitini (President) of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Huia Reriti mentioned: “We had been blown away by the standard of the initiatives showing within the Awards this yr. It was actually difficult to pick from so many worthy finalists, however we’re delighted to recognise these finalists representing Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa and Aotearoa with the highest awards.”
Helping Huia on the jury had been Murali Bhaskar, Design Director at Boon Architects, Karl Wipatene, Director, a.okay.a Structure, and Tina Williams, NZIA Wellington Department Chair.
The awards had been offered and a ceremony for shut household and pals at Victoria College of Wellington on the night of 27 November.
Establishments collaborating within the 2025 awards included:
· Te Herenga Waka — Victoria College of Wellington (host)
· Te Kura Matatini ki Otago — Otago Polytechnic
· Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau — Auckland College of Expertise
· Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka — Unitec
· Waipapa Taumata Rau — The College of Auckland
