Team
Jade Kake
Director / Architectural & Urban Designer
Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Hau me Te Parawhau), Te Whakatōhea, Te Arawa
B Arch Des, Grad Cert Dig Des, M Arch (Prof), Dip Māori Language Fluency
Jade Kake is an architectural designer, writer and housing advocate. Her design practice is focussed on working with Māori organisations on their marae, papakāinga and civic projects, and in working with mana whenua groups to express their cultural values and narratives through the design of their physical environments.
Jade is fortunate to live and work within her home area of Whangārei, where she is currently leading several projects to support the re-establishment and development of papakāinga within the district, and leading the cultural narrative integration component on a number of public space, civic, commercial and education projects within the city.
In establishing Matakohe, her aspiration is for the kaupapa to grow to a mid-size kaupapa Māori multidisciplinary design practice, and to build and attract a team of skilled hapū kaimahi who are able to contribute their technical and cultural skills and service of their own whānau, hapū and iwi.
Hope Pūriri
Spatial Designer
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe
B Des (Spatial), Dip Te Aupikitanga ki Te Reo Kairangi
Hope Pūriri is a spatial designer at Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism. After graduating from Auckland University of Technology’s School of Design, she spent the past seven years at Whangārei District Council within the Communications Department and gained valuable knowledge and experience within local government.
Her strong attention to detail, visual communication skills and extensive knowledge in Te Ao Māori and local hapū knowledge is her drive to work with mana whenua in expressing their cultural values and narratives on projects through design of their physical environments. She is passionate about delivering and defining ways for Māori to express their culture through design.
Hope looks forward to gaining more experience and knowledge in project collaboration, sustainable design, master planning and the retention of cultural knowledge through design, as a means of building up not only Ngai Māori, but also adding value to the physical landscape of Aotearoa.
Talia Rikihana
Practice Manager
Ngāpuhi (Ngāti Hau), Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Hine
Talia has a passion for connecting people and business with a background in sales & marketing where she has helped various businesses develop and grow financially and personally.
Talia lives with her 3 tamahine and husband in Hikurangi, Whangārei.
Her experience across industries has enabled her to grasp what it takes to influence and enhance business relationships so that everybody benefits.
Since leaving Whangārei in 2006 she has been filling her kete abroad and is very excited to be home with her small whānau and apply those skills in a kaupapa Māori pakihi that really lives and breathes her values.
Kiri McKenna
Principal Registered Architect
March(prof) UNITEC, Bas UNITEC
Kiri has joined Matakohe as a principal and leads our architecture department. She has a background working in residential architecture design. Studied at UNITEC in Auckland obtaining her bachelor of architectural studies, and then her master of architecture (prof) with distinction in design.
She spent a semester of her masters studying at CEPT University in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. She has also had teaching experience at both UNITEC and The University of Auckland Architecture schools.
Kiri grew up in Hawkes bay and having spent the last decade in Tāmaki Makaurau she is looking forward to settling into Whangārei with her partner, and supporting the growth of Matakohe.
In her spare time she likes creating art, spending time in nature and reading. Kiri is interested in architecture that is meaningful, responsible and beautiful.
Tori Norman
Administrator
Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Wai
BCom (Int.Bus), DipGrad (HRM)
Tori is our Administrator at Matakohe Architecture + Urbanism. She is an incredible all-rounder with accounts, events, governance and updates, amongst other projects.
Tori has a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma for Graduates from the University of Otago, and after relocating back to Te Tai Tokerau her desire to find a role that allowed her to connect more with her culture and that worked in with her new lifestyle.
Whilst her partner Matt manages the farm for the Whangaroa Ngāiotonga trust. Separately Tori is dedicated to supporting the trust in an administrative capacity too.
Chris Burgos
Senior Architectural Graduate
B Arch Des, M Arch (Prof)
Christian joined Matakohe as a Senior Architectural Graduate in May 2022 and is based mainly from our Auckland office, that we co-share with The Urban Advisory team.
His work experience ranges from civic to commercial, education and government projects, but his passion for design extends beyond architecture, including interior design, graphic design and even carpet design. Christian enjoys working in all the different areas of the design process, from initial concept sketches and 3D visualisations, down to Revit documentation and construction observation to see projects through to completion.
Since joining Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism, Christian has been involved in various projects including Kāinga Ora housing developments and a university master plan redevelopment, and is looking forward to developing his skills and strengthening his relationship with the local communities, hapū and iwi in Whangārei.
Te Ara Armstrong
Architectural Designer
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Wai
Dip Arch Tech
Te Ara Armstrong has joined Matakohe as an Architectural Designer. Te Ara grew up in Te Tai Tokerau living on the whenua in Whangaruru, Takahiwai and Ngunguru. He completed his Diploma in Architectural Technology at Northtec, Whangārei.
He lives with his wife Chanelle and their 6 tamariki in Ngunguru.
Te Ara previously worked for a local Whangārei-based civil engineering firm, where he was a senior civil draftsperson.
He is excited about the opportunity to develop his skills in a kaupapa Māori practice to enable him to utilise his skills to benefit Māori.
Jacqueline Curreen
Senior Architectural Graduate
B Arch, BAS
Jacqueline recently joined Matakohe as a Senior Architectural Graduate and is based out of our Whāngarei office.
Jacqueline grew up in Te Tai Tokerau (Kawakawa) and studied architecture at Auckland University. After graduating she gained invaluable experience at engineering and architectural firms focusing on residential and commercial architecture. She has recently moved back home to Okaihau where she lives with her husband and two children.
She is looking forward to being involved in creating architecture which is socially and culturally appropriate to Te Tai Tokerau and the region.