Celebrating Our First Year of Success

It’s been a whirlwind first year for the Urban Designers Institute Aotearoa (UDIA). Ngā mihi nui to all our members for making it such a success.

We became an incorporated society, registered our trademark, and welcomed ten new members. Urban Designer is now, finally, recognised as an official occupation on the National Occupation List.

On Friday 22 August, we held our inaugural AGM in Tāmaki Makaurau. Founding and new members from across the motu joined UDIA Chair Lisa Mein in the Boffa Miskell Boardroom, both in person and online.

The Chair’s Report acknowledged the extensive work of UDIA’s founding members in establishing, running, and growing the Institute to ensure it is sustainable, robust, and fit for purpose.

UDIA was founded to provide accreditation to qualified and experienced urban designers in Aotearoa New Zealand, promoting consistency, rigour, and transparency in practice. This has guided every step since incorporation in July 2024.

To this end, alongside the rigorous application process for Registered Urban Designer accreditation, UDIA has set up a CPD framework, drafted the first tranche of four practice notes, and progressed work on a programme of seminars and workshops.

We also provided input into government policy. While initially viewing advocacy as the role of the Urban Design Forum, the Expert Advisory Group’s Blueprint for RM Reform raised concerns not just for urban designers, but for urban design itself in the new system. This prompted UDIA to engage directly, making submissions on the NPS for Infrastructure and Going for Housing Growth. This is only the beginning—we welcome more member voices in Phase 3 of RM Reform.

Collaboration is central to both urban design and UDIA. We continue to work with UDF, co-hosting a lunchtime event in May, and have built strong links with NZPI, particularly on CPD and RM Reform. UDIA has also been invited to contribute to the Our Urban Environment sub-theme at the NZPI Conference in Wellington, 25–27 March 2026. Further connections with NZILA, NZIA, and Ngā Aho are also being strengthened this year.

We are proud of these achievements. This one-year milestone reflects the strength of our growing community and collective commitment to advancing ur

ban design practice nationwide.

But this is only the beginning. UDIA remains committed to growing our impact, supporting members, and advocating for the role of urban design in shaping resilient, people-centred communities across Aotearoa.

The year ahead:

• Growing membership

• Continued advocacy in RM Reform

• Professionalism and ethics course for urban designers

• New practice notes on:

• Shading Analysis - Methodology and Assessment

• Urban Design Principles, Definitions and Terms

• Urban Design Assessment Methodology

• Te Ao Māori and tikanga in Urban Design

We thank all members for your contribution, energy, and vision in this first year. Together, we are building a strong foundation for the future of our profession.

Lisa Mein and Josie Schröder

UDIA Chair and Co-Chair, UDIA

UDIA AGM, August 2025