Alexandra Tere Insley is a New Zealand Māori architect. She was the first registered Māori woman architect. Insley is of Te Whanau-a-Apanui descent.
Biography Insley was raised in a Te Reo Māori speaking household in Otuwhare in the Bay of Plenty Region. She studied at the University of Auckland, graduating in 1980 as the first wahine Māori (Māori woman) with a degree in architecture at the time. Additionally, in 1984 she became the first wahine Māori registered architect in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Insley first worked for the Ministry of Works and Development, then in 1990 she established her own practice, Kauri Architects. Her architectural practice aims to incorporate Māori knowledge into the Eurocentric discipline, by working locally and nationally to deliver projects representative of whakapapa and place. Insley is also a New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) registration assessor, and a Fellow of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects.
+Projects with Ministry of Works and DevelopmentHistoric Places Trust Restoration reports ( - 2009)Project management ( - 2009)Wharenui:
Te Kororia, Whakaara Tamaiti marae, Putāruru Matua-a-iwi, Tokikapu marae, Waitomo Te Kapua Whakapipi, Te Rangi-ita marae, Tūrangi Te Poroporo, Whakatāne Te Ngawari, Oputao marae, Ruatāhuna Rangihouhiri, Whakatāne Taiwhakaea, Whakatāne Whakatāne Courthouse Kawerau Fire Station extensions Rotorua Fire Station +Projects with Warren + MahoneyYear(s)NameLocationSource2002 - 2012MIT and Transport Interchange, ManukauManukau2002 - 2012National Library Wellington alterationsWellington2002 - 2012Southern Cross Medical Centre - - - 2010Te Wharekura o Te Rau Aroha, NgaruaNgarua2010Novotel Hotel, Auckland International AirportAuckland International Airport2010Auckland Mail Centre, HighbrookHighbrook2010Whare Taonga, TūrangawaewaeTūrangawaewae2010Upper Harbour Primary School, Auckland Stages 01 and 02Auckland +Projects with Kauri ArchitectsYear(s)NameLocationSource2014C Company Exhibition extension, Tairawhiti Museum, GisborneTairawhiti Museum, Gisborne2015Te Tini o Porou Stage 01 alterations, Te Runanganui o Ngāti PorouFormer DB Hotel (Kaiti), Whanau Ora offices and Youth Services2012 - 2016Hauhunga Marae: Whare nui, Whare kai and Administration for Ngāti RāruaBlenheim2012 - 2016Te Runanganui o Ngāti Porou offices, Ruatoria alterationsGisborne2012 - 2016Raparapa Ririki Outdoor pursuits/tourism for Te Runanganui o Ngāti PorouGisborne ---Hinehou Kohanga Reo, Western SpringsWestern Springs ---University of Auckland, Kohanga ReoUniversity of Auckland
Legacy In 2026, Architecture and Women New Zealand introduced a new Tere Hunuku te Kawakawa Leadership Award in their Dulux series after Insley for her influence in Aotearoa New Zealand's architectural scene. The award celebrates women in the second decade of their career that show outstanding architectural talent and leadership. +Tere Hunuku te Kawakawa Leadership Award RecipientsYearFinalistsWinnerSource2026Caro Robertson (Spacecraft Architects), Divya Purushotham (Warren & Mahoney), Lucy Hayes-Stevenson (Cheshire Architects), Magdalena Garbarczyk (Fineline Architecture), Madeline Sharpe (Synergine)Divya Purushotham, Warren & Mahoney
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