Te Ari is a Senior Associate and Te Matakīrea Design Lead at Warren and Mahoney. He has a wide range of experience on large architectural and urban design projects having worked as cultural design expert during the Christchurch post-earthquake rebuild. Of particular note was Te Ari’s involvement as iwi mandated cultural design expert in the Christchurch Central City Recovery Plan (Blueprint) - the first-time iwi have had a significant role as an equal partner in the rebuild of a post-disaster, ‘post-colonial’ city.

Te Ari believes that it is the experience of architecture that is at the heart of the design process, for a design that engages the sense while fostering social interaction and landscape integrity. He specialises in realising iwi aspirations in design, delivering authentic and culturally appropriate design outcomes consistent with iwi and hapu values. He believes all projects are opportunities to heal the trauma in the land, with the regeneration of the environment being synonymous with the reconciliation and transformation of Indigenous communities.

“Every project is a chance to deliver communal good that goes beyond the confines of the project.”