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This Is Not a Book Review
Māori Architecture: From fale to wharenui 
and beyond by Deidre Brown

Review by Derek Kawiti

I was approached by Tina Engels-Schwarzpaul to review Dr Deidre Brown’s 
book Māori Architecture: from Fale to Wharenui and beyond. It was hoped that, as a 
reviewer, I would offer a perspective on the book, which lies outside of general 
publishers’ and distributors’ review formats. After reading the book, I met with 
colleagues to discuss the merits and implications of a more in-depth engagement 
with what I consider an important work (which is referred to as the fi rst of its 
kind). As a person of Māori descent, and being involved in the fi eld of archi-
tecture, I consider it crucial that this book be assessed and evaluated in a more 
culturally specifi c and appropriate way, which the general review format does 
not envisage.

In short, it was agreed to postpone a detailed discussion of the book’s content to 
the next issue of Interstices, by which time we expect to be able to include a range 
of perspectives and interpretations. It is possible that these will highlight the 
dilemmas and issues facing Māori researchers and authors when reading and 
writing about this type of subject matter.  

Signifi cantly, the book has opened up an opportunity for us to discuss these 
issues within the context of an academic architectural discourse initiated by 
Māori practitioners and designers. The latter are at present lacking greatly 
in numbers. However, the advent of Nga Aho (The Network of Maori Design 
Professionals) has recently provided a critical forum, in which Deidre’s book can 
act as a catalyst for creating an ongoing research peer support system. Such peer 
support would help to consolidate Māori research, especially in areas involving 
sometimes sensitive material. We yet are to develop protocols and processes for 
dealing with sources of historic-cultural information that are often non-written 
accounts which operate in parallel with documented/written sources.

Often, though, it is the role of the author to substantiate process or rigour and, 
for Māori, an important component in any publication is the issue of appropri-
ate processes when undertaking research work of a cultural nature (e.g., cita-
tions, endorsements, etc.). The emerging Māori research support network will 
hopefully develop defi nitions and interpretations of processes and parameters 
that will offer consistency and support for researchers and authors regarding 
the assessment, adoption and framing of Māori cultural material. Māori research 
ethics, for instance, are still not well known within architectural academic 
discourse. Nevertheless, they do exist and are able to borrow from consistent 
and established frameworks and procedures, such as those developed by post-
graduate students in conjunction with Graham and Linda Smith (Department 
of Māori Education) some 20 years ago, at The University of Auckland. Māori 
research ethics, and wider Māori cultural ethics strongly inform each other, 
highlighting issues not so far removed from the 1990s discussions of cultural 

A Raupo book, Penguin Group, North 
Shore, Auckland.

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INTERSTICES 10

appropriation and authenticity. These ethics can also inform any assessment 
of process, methods and content as they apply to Māori writing and ensure 
that important protocols and standards are upheld. Obviously, such culturally 
appropriate ways of working will usually be of a consultative nature, which 
may be seen as an obstacle by some. However, even if such consultations may 
be lengthy, they can provide a positive testing of any material and ideas, and 
ultimately enhance research process and outcome. This approach can, in turn, 
contribute to an overall strengthening of the collegiate of Māori architectural 
academics or, even, a singular academic study or career. 

Finally, the processes and protocols guiding research and writing on Māori 
culture also have implications for readers. While reviews of Māori Architecture 
mostly suggest a wider ‘coffee table’ audience for the book, it will also come 
to infl uence the views and approaches of students and practitioners – just as 
Peter Shaw’s A history of New Zealand architecture became a key text informing 
architectural academic discourse. It will stimulate discussion and raise new 
questions. The Nga Aho academic forum provides a timely and fertile ground 
for such discussions.

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