Rau Hoskins.
As an architecture student in New Zealand 30 years ago, Rau Hoskins was taught little about the design contributions of his Maori ancestors.
?Through the colonization period, the role of the Maori experts?engineers, planners, carvers and master builders?was progressively diminished through legislative acts,? he says. ?Effectively, until the 1970s and even the 1980s, the Maori did not have a profile in architecture at all.?
Through reforms over the last three decades, New Zealand increasingly recognizes Maori culture and history as an asset to its built environment. In a 27-year career as an architect, and also a teacher, government advisor, housing advocate and filmmaker, Hoskins has become an influential leader in promoting Maori architecture and cultural landscape design. ?It?s very affirming,? says Hoskins, of the raised Maori profile. A featured speaker at the International Indigenous Architecture and Design Symposium, Hoskins believes the past offers insights for the future.
?I would like to bring a snapshot of where we have come from in the last 25 years in Aotearoa [New Zealand],? says Hoskins, of his topic. ?Yes, there is always more to be done, but I will talk about the acceleration of the acceptance of Maori cultural aspirations in the built environment in large centres like Auckland.?
Reinstatement of Mataatua (visitor centre).
A two-time recipient of the New Zealand Institute of Architects President?s Award or Services to Architecture, Hoskins is co...