Architecture of New Zealand is the built environment of regions, cities and towns of New Zealand.
History
Before British colonisation of New Zealand, the Indigenous architecture of Māori was an 'elaborate tradition of timber architecture'.[1] Māori constructed rectangular buildings (whare) with a 'small door, an extension of the roof and walls to form a porch, and an interior with hearths along the centre and sleeping places along the walls' for protection against the cold.[2]
As a British colony, the first European buildings were derivative of the European fashions of the time and most colonialists were from England so they reflected English ideas, the first settlers arrived in 1839.[2] Building in stone was realised to be problematic in a land with earthquakes, and uneconomical given the abundance of timber available for construction.[1] There was a Gothic revival style of the 1840s–1860s, and early architects included Benjamin Mountfort and Frederick Thatcher.[2] Significant early colonial buildings include Stone Store, Kemp House (Kerikeri), Pompalier House, Waitangi Treaty House and Old St Paul's in Wellington.[3] In 1905 the New Zealand Institute of Architects was formed.[3]
In the 1930s a modernist aesthetic was introduced to New Zealand, European architect Ernst Plischke was part of this and his wife Anna Plischke brought her European training in landscapes to influence how building related to the outside space around them.[2][4][5]
Later European and American styles also were built, for example in the early twentieth century the Californian Bungalow design of a single level wooden building with a verandah became common.[6]
Te Whare Rūnanga, the Māori meeting house on the Treaty of Waitangi grounds was opened on 6 February 1940.[7]
Oamaru stone, despite its susceptibility to the elements, is used as a major construction material on several fine buildings, most obviously in the town of Oamaru itself. The historic sector of this town contains numerous fine buildings built in this creamy stone, among them the Forrester Gallery and Waitaki District Council building. Waitaki Boys' High School is also a prime example of the use of Oamaru stone architecture.
The Otago town of Ranfurly, which expanded during the 1930s, is also noted for its Art Deco architecture.
Heritage New Zealand, a non-profit autonomous Crown entity, was set up through the Historic Places Act 1954 as the New Zealand Historic Places Trust to protect New Zealand's historical and cultural heritage including notable buildings.
New Zealand Institute of Architects is a professional organisation that promotes architects and provides services to its membership. Not all New Zealand architects are members of the NZIA. Members pay an annual subscription.
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