Fast Forward 2026: Transcolonisation! | Graham Hoete

Fast Forward 2026: Transcolonisation!

Semester 1

In the Architecture NZ article Transcolonisation 1990-2020, Anthony Hōete charted how architecture in Aotearoa was negotiating the complex entanglement of colonial inheritance and Indigenous resurgence. He described a 30-year trajectory in which design culture shifts from bicultural acknowledgement toward a more assertive Te Ao Māori architectural project, seeking to reconcile European traditions with Indigenous spatial knowledge. This process of transcolonisation reframes architecture as an evolving dialogue in which Māori worldviews increasingly steer form, narrative, and purpose. Hōete positions this shift not as a stylistic turn but as a structural rebalancing, reshaping how architecture inhabits land, memory, and identity.

Embedded within the Fast Forward lecture series, the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning’s annual flagship lecture series, Transcolonisation 2026, asks pre-eminent Māori how their creative practice might influence architecture and the built environment.

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Graham Hoete, | Hononga

Graham Hoete (Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) - also known as Mr G - is a leading contemporary Māori multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans Painting, whakairo (carving), graphic design, digital art, and large-scale public works. With over two decades of professional full-time practice, his work explores the intersection of kaupapa Māori, visual storytelling, and contemporary culture, positioning Indigenous narratives within both local and international contexts. Hoete’s practice moves fluidly between gallery, architectural, and community environments, drawing on mātauranga Māori to create works grounded in whakapapa, identity, and place. Alongside his exhibition and public art practice, he has collaborated with global brands such as Star Wars and the FIFA World Cup, demonstrating the relevance of Māori visual language within international creative industries. Through his multidisciplinary approach, Hoete continues to investigate how Indigenous knowledge systems can inform contemporary art and design, contributing to ongoing conversations around cultural visibility, narrative sovereignty, and the role of Māori creativity in shaping the visual landscape. "He Karoro ahau o ngā Karoro inu tai, o te haupapa kohatu, ko te Moutere o Mōtītī".

10 CPD points available.

Please note that tickets purchased from unauthorized third-party websites are not valid; please use only the approved website (eventbrite.co.nz) for ticket purchases/registrations.

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Getting to the venue:

The main Faculty of Engineering and Design buildings are conveniently located at the heart of the University's City Campus, and are easily accessible via many forms public transport. For further information on public transport schedules, visit the Auckland Transport website.

For those driving in, further information on parking options can be found here.

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Host or Publisher Faculty of Engineering, University of Auckland