Architects Board must prioritise safe buildings over mandated ideologies

05 August 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Architects Board must prioritise safe buildings over mandated ideologies 

Architects’ registrations and livelihoods should not be on the line over differing worldviews. The Free Speech Union recommends that the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) focus on competence and physical safety, not subjective ideologies, as part of the organisation’s consultation on possible registration requirements, says Stephanie Martin, spokesperson for the Free Speech Union.

“The NZRAB is proposing to assess architects on whether their work reflects a particular ideological viewpoint rather than simply whether they are professionally competent. The NZRAB invited us to be a key stakeholder in their consultation process on proposed expansions to the performance criteria required for architects’ professional registration.

“We’ve urged NZRAB to consider matters that affect the safety of buildings and the public, leaving architects free to hold their own opinions regarding subjective topics such as the degree of integration of indigenous knowledge or Māori worldviews into the design process. 

“Architects should absolutely have the right to incorporate te ao Māori, and to upskill in this area if they have a particular interest or a related project. Likewise, if they have a project that relates to a different culture, religion, or tradition, it would be best practice to understand more about the context in which they’re working. But mandated opinions on such topics? That would be a dangerous overreach.

“When registration hinges not on technical skills but on social, cultural or ideological attitudes, compulsory regulation becomes a tool for policing speech, mandating approaches, and limiting discussion, whether intentionally or not. That is inappropriate in a liberal democracy and inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act. Regulatory bodies have a responsibility to protect the public. This does not include ‘protection’ from ideas they might disagree with. 

“Ideological requirements should not determine whether an individual can become an architect, nor should current architects be limited in the cultural opinions or approaches they are allowed to hold or express. NZRAB should focus on physical safety and allow architects to explore and express different worldviews freely.”

ENDS

Note to editor: Find the briefing paper we prepared for the NZRAB and here.