Rau Hoskins (Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi) has been appointed to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board and the Māori Heritage Council.

Rau is an expert practitioner and senior educator in the field of Māori architecture and cultural landscape design.

As Founding Director of Design TRIBE architects, a cultural and educational architectural design consultancy, he has over 30 years’ experience working with Māori community-based design projects, providing significant skills in kaupapa Māori design, urban design, and Māori heritage. Rau is active in Māori housing advocacy and papakāinga design projects as well as being the Chairperson of Toi Ngāpuhi – the Ngāpuhi arts support and advocacy organisation. He teaches part-time at the Unitec Department of Architecture and has been active in researching both traditional and hybrid Māori dwelling construction techniques.

“Rau’s architectural expertise and passion for heritage combined with his experience with Māori architecture and dwellings will be incredibly valuable to the Board and the Council, particularly in regards to the promotion and preservation of wāhi tupuna, wāhi tapu and the advocation of Māori heritage,” said Pou Mataaho o Te Aka Deputy Chief Executive, Policy and Sector Performance, Emily Fabling.

Current member, Materoa Dodd (Ngāti Awa and Ngāi Te Rangi), has been reappointed to a further three-year-term to the Board and Council.

Materoa has an extensive background in Māori and indigenous education and research and, in addition to the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board and the Māori Heritage Council, has served in a variety of leadership, academic, and governance positions.

“It is wonderful to have Materoa extend her time with the Board and Council sharing her skills and experience,” said Emily Fabling.  “She has played a significant role and I know that will continue.”