On Saturday, 11 October, as part of the AIA International Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a new AIA International Section was formally recognized: AIA Oceania. We were delighted to have AIA President Evelyn Lee with us to launch the Section, which brings our total in AIA International to six. This Section represents AIA members working across Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
For those who may not be familiar with the region, National Geographic defines Oceania as a continent based on its connection to the Pacific Ocean rather than landmass. It is one of the Olympic regions and is also defined by FIFA, World Rugby, and the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA), which includes Oceania as part of Region IV along with Asia.
The following map shows the 4 components of Oceania - Australasia, Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia.
Oceania UN Geoscheme
AIA Oceania President Louise Cox, Hon. FAIA, and Yew Kee Cheong, FAIA AIA International President.
The new Section is led by the following officers:
President: Louise Cox, Hon. FAIA
Vice-President: Janusz Giermanski, Intl. Assoc. AIA
Secretary: Simon Wells, Intl. Assoc. AIA
AIA Oceania is further supported by the following Country Representatives:
Australia: Simon Wells
New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau: Charlotte Muschamp
Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu: Janusz Giermanski
In setting up AIA Oceania, close working relationships have been developed with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), the Fiji Association of Architects (FAA) and Te Kahui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA). These partnerships aim to:
Strengthen AIA Oceania’s influence and promote its visibility across a region historically beyond AIA’s core orbit.
Create a platform for AIA Oceania leadership to network and deepen engagement with local institutional leaderships and agencies, and even with allied organisations like the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA).
Increase membership growth in a region where AIA’s values are held in high regards and where influence is needed especially in continuing education
Be the voice of AIA Oceania members, understanding their needs and communicating them to National.
Encourage inter-organization collaboration in continuing education.
Broaden the architectural education opportunities throughout the region.
Build local knowledge and understanding of working in Oceania.
Strengthen ties and dialogue among countries across the Pacific.
Improve understanding of the region.
Improve architectural dialogue and the practice of architecture within the region.
Support mentoring initiatives for emerging architects pursuing opportunities in the region.
Recently, several AIA members served as delegates at the Fiji Association of Architects Conference in Nadi, Fiji, in November, marking an important early engagement for the new Section.
Looking ahead, planning is underway for a number of functions around key regional events, including with Archibuild Expo in Sydney in July, the NZIA National Conference in Auckland in September held in association with the Commonwealth Association of Architects, and the RAIA National Conference in Brisbane in October.
For updates on AIA Oceania, see here>>>
The Officers and Representatives of AIA Oceania wish all members a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous 2026!
Simon Wells, RAIA, Intl. Assoc. AIA
AIA International Country Representative - Australia
Secretary, AIA Oceania
