Pacific Landscape Architecture graduate wins International Award

The award recognises a conference paper she co-authored with Senior Lecturer Sue Wake, based on Maiava’s final-year design research, Making Cultural Connections Through Decolonising Play.

“For a bachelor’s graduate to be selected from a field that included many impressive presentations by PhD candidates is an outstanding achievement,” says Ms Wake.

“It celebrates and raises the profile of Pacific research, research into the decolonisation of play, and landscape architecture research more broadly.”

The ASA2025 Conference held from 3–5 December 2025 brought together researchers, practitioners, government and industry representatives to address current research and critical challenges across the built environment, including urban, building and material scales, as well as design education and professional practice.

Maiava’s paper focused on her landscape architecture project that looks at how children’s play spaces can be redesigned in ways that better reflect Indigenous cultures. Although New Zealand is often seen as a leader in including Māori perspectives in design, her research argues that colonial ideas still strongly shape how spaces are made.

Drawing on her Niuean heritage, Maiava highlighted the importance of spirit and essence in creating play spaces that connect young people with culture, nature, and identity. She proposes a new model for designing play spaces that supports cultural reconnection and shows why Indigenous-led approaches are important for creating more meaningful urban places.

Lyrck Maiava and Sue Wake.

“I feel beyond grateful and honoured to receive the award and honestly a bit shocked,” says Maiava. “I’m so thankful to everyone at Unitec who supported me, and to my uncle who flew from Sydney to be there for me. Extremely chuffed.”

Maiava’s presentation grew out of her final design project for the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree. Her research project, Decolonised Play, was influenced by an earlier article she authored, Are Designers Diluting Culture? Connecting Theory to Practice, published in the School of Architecture’s Asylum Magazine in 2024.

“I was introduced to the concept of decolonisation in my Landscape Theory class in 2023, and instantly understood its significance,” Lyrck explains. “It resonated with a feeling of unease and pain within myself.”

“At the time I was going through a difficult period, and engaging deeply with the topic really shone a light for me. Researching decolonisation brought a sense of relief, peace and understanding. It was reassuring to see such positive responses from peers, lecturers, mentors and international scholars at the conference, all agreeing on its importance and the need for continued discussion.”
Ms Wake says Maiava’s research is deeply personal and culturally grounded.

“Lyrck’s focus on decolonisation through play is closely connected to her culture and family, and to cultural beliefs around spirit and essence,” the senior lecturer says. “These ideas became important design drivers in her work. Her final research-by-design project provided a valuable opportunity to explore them in greater depth.”

Culture has been integral to Maiava’s personal life and academic journey. Born in Auckland to parents of Niuean, Samoan and Nigerian heritage, she has also lived in Niue and Australia—experiences that have shaped her perspective and design thinking.

“I align deeply with my Niuean culture, having lived on the island for almost a decade,” says Maiava. “I also align with my Nigerian culture, which I’m continuing to learn more about. I draw from these cultures at different times, using my experiences as a driving force in my design and research.”

Looking ahead, Maiava hopes to continue her research and is considering returning to study for a master’s degree. She is currently working at the Auckland Domain Wintergardens, contributing to the maintenance, improvement and design of three gardens.

“I hope to continue developing my skills and become a leading pioneer of the change Auckland Council and Auckland Domain want to achieve,” Lyrck says.