The Institute was first established in 1905. In 1963, it was reformed under The Architects Act, with functions split between the Institute, the professional organisation for architects, and what is now known as the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB), which undertakes regulatory functions. Later, the Institute would became an incorporated society, which provided flexibility to continue to identify and expand its range of activities and membership base.

In 2019, the Institute was gifted a new name in te reo Māori: Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects. 

Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects represents more than 90 per cent of all registered architects in New Zealand. Through our members we are committed to promoting and celebrating outstanding architecture and to creating greater awareness of the values and benefits well designed buildings and public spaces can bring to our cities and towns.

Objectives of the Institute

• To promote excellence in architecture, the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge relating to architecture, ethical conduct in the practice of architecture and the interests of the profession of architecture in New Zealand and overseas.

• To advance the study and practice of architecture.

• To improve and elevate the technical and general knowledge of persons engaged in, or about to engage in the practice of architecture.

• To hold and promote competitions and to give prizes, certificates and other awards to promote excellence in architecture.

• To bring before government authorities, public and other bodies any matters affecting architecture and architects.

• To amalgamate, or combine, or confer, or act temporarily or otherwise in conjunction with any other professional body or bodies, institutes or institutions having objects similar to those of the Institute.

Read the Rules of the Institute (PDF). 

Members

Institute members have access to a wide range of valuable Institute resources, including:

• Professional development programmes;

• Key documents such as the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Conditions of Contract and Agreement for Architects Services;

• Updates on new building legislation and codes, quality management programme;

• Internationally recognised environmental policy.

Practices

One of the Institute's membership categories is specific to practices which must accept and comply with the following five rules:

1 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Practices will strive to ensure that they are competent to deal effectively with duties undertaken and maintain and extend their competence.

2 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Practices will have architecture as their core business or a core component of it and a Principal will be an Institute member.

3 All Architect Principals of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Practices will be Institute members and all architectural work will be the responsibility of an Institute Architect.

4 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Practices will undertake continuing education and training.

5 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Practices will accept peer review in the event of a complaint.

Public 

The public are invited to contact the Institute at any time to discuss any areas of interest or concern to them about architecture or architects. Our contact details are here.

Partners

The Institute is supported by Resene Paints, GIB^® and Architectural Profiles Limited. Support is also sought for particular events and conferences, particularly those with Continuing Professional Development accreditation. Contact us for more information.