From Māori meeting houses to colonial villas, from Brutalist landmarks to cutting-edge sustainable design – this architectural guide offers a comprehensive overview of Aotearoa’s resp. New Zealand’s built environment. Covering more than 200 buildings across both the North and South Islands, it presents the diversity of architectural expression in a country better known internationally for its breathtaking landscapes. Yet the architecture of Aotearoa is no less remarkable: it reflects centuries of cultural exchange, the resilience of a society shaped by migration and biculturalism, and the challenges of building in earthquake-prone terrain. Structured by region, the guide introduces historic highlights and contemporary works, from Auckland’s waterfront regeneration to the cultural institutions of Wellington, from Māori architecture in Rotorua to experimental timber constructions in Canterbury and Otago. Essays and interviews with leading practitioners and scholars provide further insights into the politics of identity, the legacy of colonialism, and the search for sustainable solutions in the 21st century.A must-have companion for architects, planners, and travellers alike, this volume situates New Zealand architecture within the global discourse while remaining attentive to its unique local traditions and innovations.
