The inaugural recipient of the Hood Fellowship, established in honour of former University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Sir John Hood to enable overseas academics to challenge and inspire research at the University of Auckland, is the UK government’s chief architect Sarah Allan.

As the Head of Architecture and Urban Design within the Chief Planner’s Directorate of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Allan advises on design policies and practices, both locally and nationally, and delivers residential and cultural projects at a range of scales, from master plans to individual homes and art projects.

During her two public lectures — in Auckland on 17 September at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland and in Dunedin on 24 September at Otago Polytechnic School of Architecture — Allan will tease out the relations between architecture and government to give our industry a better understanding of the potential value of a government architect here in this country.

North Island
Public lecture: 5.30pm for 6pm start, Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Venue: Neon Theatre (401-439), Faculty of Engineering and Design, University of Auckland

South Island
Public lecture: 5.30pm for 6pm start, Wednesday, 24 September 2025
Venue: TBC, School of Architecture, Otago Polytechnic

For further information, please contact a.hoete@auckland.ac.nz