Jasmax has appointed Professor Robert Jahnke (Ngāi Taharora, Te Whānau a Iritekura, Te Whānau a Rakairoa o Ngāti Porou,
Samoan-German-Irish) as te ao Māori Advisor to the Jasmax Board. Professor of Māori Visual Arts at Massey University,
and considered one of Aotearoa’s leading Māori artists, Professor Jahnke, brings a wealth of knowledge in the education
and arts sectors in Aotearoa. In his role, Jahnke will provide guidance to Jasmax as the practice continues to embed a
bicultural approach to architecture and design.
Jasmax CEO, Sjoerd Post, says Jahnke’s appointment is reflective of Jasmax’s commitment to align with Te Tiriti o
Waitangi as the foundation for authentic, meaningful design outcomes.
“We are delighted Robert is has agreed to collaborate with Jasmax and look forward to all the ways this will evolve.
Robert shares our vision for a built environment that reflects Aotearoa’s bicultural foundation enshrined in Te Tiriti o
Waitangi. I am personally excited to see how his deep knowledge of te ao Māori will contribute to the work we do over
coming years:” Sjoerd Post.
Jahnke’s own work tackles issues of identity, colonisation, and intercultural exchange. Primarily a sculptor, he seeks
to explore Māori creation narratives in a multidimensional way. Post says there is a synergy between Jahnke’s work and
the built environment which will be valuable to explore. Jahnke and Jasmax already share history, as Jahnke designed the
stained-glass windows for the contemporary marae, Rongomaraeroa, in Te Papa Tongarewa, one of Jasmax’s seminal projects.
In his advisory role, Jahnke will also provide mentorship to Waka Māia, Jasmax’s te ao Māori advisory group. Led by
Principal Elisapeta Heta, Waka Māia is a team of Māori designers who facilitate engagement with mana whenua on projects.
Recent projects Waka Māia have been instrumental in include the NZ Pavilion at Expo 2020, Dubai, and the reference
designs for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s City Rail Link stations.
Jahnke says of the partnership, “Jasmax hold a holistic vision where people and place matter and are integral to the
realisation of a built environment that aims to transform experience and shape culture. A vision embedded in Māori
values in which te taiao is respected. I am humbled to be part of the journey towards creating an Aotearoa that truly
reflects our unique place.”