* The Registered Architects Act 2005 provides that a Board member continues in office despite the expiry of their term of office until — they are reappointed, or their successor is appointed, or the Minister has advised that neither is to occur.
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Craig O'Connell
Appointed: 17 April 2023
Appointed as Board Chair: 29 May 2025
Term expires: 16 April 2028
Craig O’Connell is a Lay member of the Board with an extensive business consulting and governance background. He has experience in the construction sector in both Regulatory and Membership organisations and has many years consulting to, setting up, managing, and governing Regulatory bodies. In his experience, the effectiveness of a Regulatory body is dependent on taking the sector with you along with open and regular dialogue with all stakeholders. He has completed Economics and Psychology degrees.
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Judith Corbelletto-Thompson
Appointed: 1 September 2020
Reappointed: 21 November 2022
Appointed as Acting Deputy Board Chair: 11 November 2024
Term expires: 21 November 2025
Judith Thompson is an experienced director with expertise in design, innovation and organisational transformation. As former Director of Design for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Head of Better by Design, Judith has worked closely with both the business and design sectors. She currently works as a consultant and is a Chartered Member of the IOD.
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David Ivory
Appointed: 17 April 2023
Term expires: 17 April 2028
Dr David Ivory has a background in commerce/law, governance, and education. He works as a Commissioner alongside the Christchurch City Council. He chairs both national and regional boards in the education sector. He is a Trustee of the Rata Foundation and Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and a Director of several companies. David also undertakes work in the regulatory space, as a member of both the Medical Council of New Zealand and Te Kaunihera Manapou (Paramedic Council). David holds degrees in Law, Management, Arts, and Education. He enjoys climbing, mountain biking, design, and art.
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Katherine Skipper
Appointed: 24 June 2024
Term expires: 23 June 2029
Katherine Skipper is Warren and Mahoney’s Wellington Studio Principal, a registered architect, and member of the Institute of Directors. Her career spans the breadth of architectural practice, from small private practices to her role now as a senior leader within Warren and Mahoney. This diverse experience covers projects from residential scale through to complex civic and airport projects and, more recently, to multi-disciplinary design teams developing infrastructure masterplans for key government clients whose estates span across New Zealand.
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Bruce Curtain
Appointed: 24 June 2024
Term expires: 23 June 2029
Bruce Curtain, FNZIA, is a registered architect with a wide range of experience from residential alterations and new-builds through to complex buildings and infrastructure across New Zealand, the UK and Canada. A graduate of the Victoria University of Wellington School of Architecture, his early work experience was at Synaxon Architects and Architecture Workshop in New Zealand before 9 years in the UK at Foster + Partners working on commercial offices, airports and large-scale master planning. Returning to New Zealand he joined Opus Architecture, which was then acquired by WSP in 2018. As Head of Architecture for the WSP NZ national business, Bruce has focused on business management, technical leadership and governance for projects across the education, transport, community and commercial sectors. Bruce is now the International Director - Architecture for WSP, connecting global best practice into the NZ context and vice versa. He has been the NZIA representative to the MBIE guidelines and advisory panels, and on the management committee of the New Zealand Society of Earthquake Engineers. Bruce is also a registered architect in the UK and NSW, and has been an NZRAB Registration Assessor since 2018.
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Staff
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Judith Taylor — Chief Executive
Judith Taylor, FNZIA, brings extensive expertise in the building industry, corporate governance, and executive leadership. She has a strong focus on developing high-performing teams and fostering collaborative relationships. During her tenure as President of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (2022-2024), Judith led initiatives to enhance governance and improve operations and financial management. Previously, as Group Manager Precinct Services, Judith provided strategic and technical advice to the Parliamentary Service, overseeing capital works, facilities, security, visitor services, the Chamber, and the Gallery, driving operational improvements.
During her nine-year tenure as an Associate at Context, an integrated design practice, Judith excelled in project delivery, risk management, and mentoring. Additionally, Judith has contributed to the AERB Board from 1994 to 2002 and supported the NZRAB as an assessor, training coordinator, and complaints panel member. Judith is a registered architect in New Zealand.
judith@nzrab.org.nz
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Tom Firmin — Executive Officer Public Protection
Tom manages any concerns and complaints about the services provided by registered architects. He works closely with a team of senior architects, who form the Architectural Services Advisory Panel (ASAP). Tom also investigates any claims relating to potential misuse of the protected title, registered architect.
concern@nzrab.org.nz
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Stefanie Joe — Executive Officer Operations (from 24 November 2025)
Stefanie works closely with the Chief Executive to ensure the smooth running of the NZRAB. She ensures policies, procedures and reporting are in place to support the executive office.
info@nzrab.org.nz
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Jeremy Porima-Bell — Executive Officer Education
Waikato, Kāi Tahu
Jeremy manages the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme. He works closely with the architecture schools in managing the accreditation procedure in Aotearoa NZ. Jeremy is the primary liaison for the UK ARB's Mutual Recognition Agreement with Australia and New Zealand.
education@nzrab.org.nz
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Alan Bird — Executive Officer Finance (from 3 November 2025)
Alan manages the finance portfolio for the NZRAB, including processing financial transactions, payroll, insurances, audit and risk management. His role is part-time.
accounts@nzrab.org.nz
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Olivia Vriens — Registration Administrator
Olivia assists the Registration Manager with processing registration applications, organising events, and maintaining the NZ Registered Architects' database.
registration@nzrab.org.nz
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Toni Broome — Registration Manager
Toni manages the initial and continuing registration processes. She works with a team of experienced assessors, who undertake the professional conversations for initial registration and interactive assessments for ongoing registration. Toni organises the annual training event for the assessor team.
registration@nzrab.org.nz