Guy Tarrant, Auckland Awards Convenor 

Principal of Guy Tarrant Architects, a practice he founded in 2010, Guy is well versed in what an award-winning project looks like, having received 12 Local Architecture Awards and three National Architecture Awards for his own work. Guy, previously a director of Cook, Sargisson, Tarrant and Pirie Architects, has served as a member of a New Zealand Awards jury in the past. 

Pat de Pont, Waikato & Bay of Plenty Awards Convenor 

Pat is Practice Director at Strachan Group Architects (SGA Ltd), a multiple award-winning Auckland practice. With experience in design, documentation and administration of residential, retail, commercial and education projects, Pat believes that good design should be a positive and accessible influence in people’s lives. 

Hana Scott, Gisborne & Hawke's Bay Awards Convenor  

Director of Scott Architects Tapui, a Hawke’s Bay-based practice co-founded with her father, Jacob Scott, Hana (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Te Upokoiri, Ngāti Hawea, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Raukawa) has more than 12 years of experience working as a registered architect. She specialises in high-end residential design, with a strong focus on creating Māori housing solutions. Hana is also a Trustee for the Futuna Trust, honouring her grandfather, John Scott, and his legacy in shaping Aotearoa’s architectural heritage.  

Gerald Cogen, Western Awards Convenor 

Based in Whanganui, Gerald is a Director and Senior Architect at BSM Group Architects. An experienced Local Architecture Awards convenor, he has also played the role of juror in the past and has contributed to the Institute as Western Branch chair. Gerald has been a practising architect for more than two decades. 

Ben Jagersma, Wellington Awards Convenor  

Ben is a Director and Design Manager at First Light Studio, who has worked on award-winning projects across the country. He previously served as a juror for the 2022 Gisborne & Hawke's Bay awards, contributing his expertise to recognising excellence, as well as his passion for environmentally sustainable design, Passive House principles and high-performance building design. 

Nathan Edmondston, Nelson & Marlborough Awards Convenor 

For more than 16 years, Nathan has been involved in local branch activities in the Nelson & Marlborough region. He has been on the team of three Architecture Award-winning projects, and as a certified Passive House designer and Homestar assessor is a passionate advocate for sustainable outcomes in the built environment. 

Jorgen Anderson, Canterbury Awards Convenor 

Jorgen’s interest in creating residential and multi-unit residential projects all over Aotearoa New Zealand has seen his projects receive both Institute awards and to be published in many national magazines. Based in Christchurch, he became a registered architect in 2008 and a director at Arthouse Architects in 2009. He is a past-secretary of his local Canterbury branch, and has also generously given his time to be a guest critic at architecture schools in Auckland and Wellington. 

Mark Mawdsley, Southern Awards Convenor 

Mark leads the heritage and urban design team at Dunedin City Council. Prior to working in local government, he practiced in the Waikato and across the ditch, in Sydney and Noosa. In addition to being a registered architect, Mark holds a Master of Heritage Conservation from the University of Auckland and is a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites.

The 2025 Local Architecture Awards will be held across the motu from April to June. Stay tuned for more details.