Designing Through Culture – Matekitātahi Rawiri on Māori Architecture & Life Balance
Description
In this episode, I sit down with Matekitātahi Rāwiri, a talented Māori architect through his practice Orua, following in the footsteps of his māmā, who was the first registered Māori architect in the world.
Matekitātahi grew up in Auckland, surrounded by te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, and now lives in Te Kaha with his own whānau. His story is one of creativity, cultural grounding, and balance —weaving te ao Māori into his mahi as an architect and into the way he lives as a pāpā and husband.
We talk about his upbringing, the mahi behind architecture, the realities of work-life balance, being a pāpā, tā moko, and navigating grief. This is a wholesome kōrero that beautifully blends design, identity, and healing.
We dive into:
✨ Growing up in te ao Māori
✨ The legacy of his māmā — the first Māori architect in the world
✨ Architecture through a Māori world view
✨ Being a pāpā and balancing mahi with whānau life
✨ The meaning of tā moko and self-expression
✨ Navigating grief
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