Resene and NZIA: a partnership across generations

12 Oct 2026

In this instalment, Kevin Ptak, Manager, Marketing and Communications, reflects on the decades-long relationship between Resene and Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, and provides a wrap-up of past and upcoming events from 2026.

For more than 35 years, Resene and Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects have shared a commitment to celebrating great architecture and supporting the people who create it. Resene has been an NZIA partner since 1990, building a relationship that reaches across generations of architects.

Today, Resene continues that support through the Regional Architecture Awards and New Zealand Architecture Awards, helping recognise outstanding projects across Aotearoa. Its support also extends to the Resene Student Design Awards, which brings together leading students from New Zealand’s five schools of architecture to present their work to a jury.

Together, these programmes celebrate achievement at different stages of an architectural career, from ambitious student ideas to completed projects that enrich our communities and express our culture.

The partnership reflects shared priorities: quality, creativity, innovation and a belief in the value of good design. Resene’s focus on research and environmentally conscious products complements the Institute’s commitment to architecture that enhances our cities, towns and natural environments. 

Likewise, its nationwide network of architectural and specifier services representatives, led by National Sales Manager, John Gerondis, provides invaluable expertise to architects and specifiers on products and systems from across the Resene Group companies.

As a locally owned and operated business, Resene brings a connection to Aotearoa and its design community. Its sustained support across NZIA activities helps the NZIA champion excellence, encourage emerging talent and share architecture’s contribution more widely. It is a partnership with an enduring, practical purpose.

New Zealand’s largest-ever architecture event gathers global community

Nearly 1,200 attendees from 21 countries came together at the Aotea Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland this September for the 2026 in:situ Conference and Commonwealth Association of Architects’ General Assembly.

Hosted by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, the three-day event was the largest architecture gathering ever held in Aotearoa, bringing together architects, students and industry leaders to share ideas, inspiration and connections.

Resene’s support as a Gold Sponsor helped make this exceptional gathering possible. The NZIA extends its warm thanks to Resene for its generosity and continued commitment to New Zealand architecture and the people who shape it.

Selected presentations from the conference are now available on the NZIA YouTube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe for updates as more recordings are released.

Watch sessions now. 

Gisborne & Hawke’s Bay Bus Tour: The architectural works of PMA

Join the NZIA Gisborne & Hawke’s Bay Branch and spend a day touring a selection of works by Designgroup Stapleton Elliott (formerly Designgroup PMA, Paris Magdalinos Architects). Local historian and Deputy Mayor Michael Fowler will give a lunchtime talk on the history of Karanema Havelock North and its architecture. Lunch and dinner included.

When: Sat 17 Oct, 9am–8pm

Where: No.5 Cafe & Larder, State Highway 51, Heretaunga Hastings

Book here.

Be part of the NZ Architecture Awards celebration

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 New Zealand Architecture Awards. Join the NZIA to recognise Aotearoa’s architectural excellence at our national celebration this year in Tāmaki Makaurau and talk with architects and clients from right across the motu. Book a table of eight to get a $120 discount.  We hope to see you there!

When: Thu 5 Nov, 6pm

Where: Auckland Museum – South Atrium, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Buy tickets.

Rich Naish of RTA Studio Wins 2026 NZIA Gold Medal

Rich Naish of RTA Studio has been named the 2026 NZIA Gold Medallist, receiving the Institute’s highest individual honour for his outstanding contribution to architecture in Aotearoa.

Since founding RTA Studio in 1999, Rich has built a diverse portfolio distinguished by inventive thinking, thoughtful material choices and a strong connection to place.

Colour is also part of that story. RTA Studio won two Resene Colour Awards at the 2026 NZIA Regional Architecture Awards: for Living House in Rotorua and MTG – Hawke’s Bay Museum Research & Archives Centre in Napier.

Living House is a particularly compelling example of Rich’s approach to solving architectural challenges. Its modular timber system combines affordability, low embodied carbon and rapid construction with inviting, spacious interiors, demonstrating how good design can make better housing more accessible.

Discover the ideas, projects and people behind Rich’s remarkable career: watch the 2026 Gold Medal film on the NZIA YouTube channel.

Free Public Lecture: Architecture that gives more than it takes

Hear from 2026 NZIA Gold Medallist Rich Naish and New Zealand Architecture Awards Juror Jon Clements of Melbourne-based Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCB) in a unique combined lecture next month.

Jon and Rich will discuss similarities of each other's practice working in their respective countries before taking questions from the audience, providing an opportunity for you to ask your own questions of our speakers.  Rich will also be signing copies of his Gold Medal book. Free event.

When: Thu 5 Nov, 12–1:45pm

Where: ASB Waterfront Theatre, Halsey Street, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Get your tickets.

2026 NZIA Gold Medallist, Richard Naish, Executive Director and Founder of RTA Studio.

Save the Date: 2026 Resene Student Design Awards

Mark your calendars now for 2 & 3 December and the 2026 Resene Student Design Awards! These annual NZIA awards recognise the top architecture student projects from five architecture schools across Aotearoa. 

Students make formal presentations individually or as a group about their projects to a panel of judges, with the winner being named the top architecture student in the nation.

AUT is playing host this year for the two-day event at the award-winning AUT Tukutuku building on Auckland’s North Shore.

Check the NZIA website for the latest info closer to the event.

Where: Tukutuku building, AUT North Campus

When: 2 & 3 December 2026

From left: John Gerondis (Resene National Sales Manager), joins the judges and winners of the 2025 Resene Student Design Awards;  Huia Reriti (former NZIA President); Sarah McLeod-Venu (highly commended); Mila Makasini (winner); Amelia Lee Chee (highly commended); Karl Wipatene (a.k.a Architecture); Tina Willams (Voxell); and Murali Bhaskar (Team Architects).

Published: 12 Oct 2026