Tonga: Dr. Charmaine ‘Ilaiū Talei

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Dr. Charmaine ‘Ilaiū Talei is a Tongan architect registered with the Board of Architects Queensland and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. She is a senior lecturer at the School of Architecture and Planning (2021–), director of Fofonga for Pacific Research Excellence (2024–), Associate Dean Pacific for the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries (2023–2025), and Associate Dean Pacific for the Faculty of Engineering and Design (2025) at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand.

‘Ilaiū Talei earned a bachelor’s of architectural studies, a bachelor’s of architecture (Hons. I)  (2006), and a master’s of architecture (Research) (Hons) from the University of Auckland (2008), and a PhD in architecture from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia (2016). A prolific scholar, she has contributed to numerous publications, including “The Architectural Vernacularisation of Pacific Aid Practice” in Design and the Vernacular: Interpretations for Contemporary Architectural Practice and Theory (2024), and “Timber and Palm Vernacular of Tonga” and “Navala and Lau Bure of Fiji” in  Habitat: Vernacular Architecture for a Changing Planet (2017).

With her expertise and knowledge, ‘Ilaiū Talei has also conducted extensive fieldwork researching Pacific Island architecture and the architectural history of the Kingdom of Tonga and the Republic of Fiji Islands (c. early 2000s–). Amongst her responsibilities in academia, she has served in advisory roles and participated in various academic committees, including the Faculty Equity Committee (2022–), the Curriculum Framework Transformation Committee (2022–), and the Pacific Education Steering Committee. She also participates in the ongoing work of the Māpihi: Māori, Pacific Island and Indigenous Housing Research Center (2022–), and the Future-Cities Research Hub (2023–).

Dr. ‘Ilaiū Talei is a member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the New Zealand Institute of Architects (2022–), and Architecture + Women New Zealand. She is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and Pacific Region’s representative of the education committee of the Commonwealth Association of Architects (2025–).