PRACTICE LEADS

Based in the Wellington studio, director Max Herriot, Registered Architect, ANZIA, FNZIA, founded the practice with John Melhuish in 1997 as Herriot + Melhuish Architecture. Prior to HMA, Max had his own business, Max Herriot Design. From 1984–1988, he worked for a London-based practice, Michael Aukett Associates.

A Fellow of the NZ Institute of Architects, Max has a broad experience across a range of building types including commercial building refurbishments, hospitality projects, commercial fit-outs and large-scale projects. More recently Max worked on Lane Street Studios (2022), Harbour City Centre Annexe Strengthening (2016–2020), the FNZ fit-out (2019), the China Cultural Centre in Wellington and several projects for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His focus has been on initial design concepts, design development, through to coordination of documentation, with a specific interest in detail, as well as structural solutions providing a connection to his engineering background.

Max grew up in Wellington’s Eastbourne bays. A keen sportsman, he played basketball for New Zealand and regularly competed in the K2 and Lake Taupo Cycling Challenges. He lives in the Wellington suburb of Strathmore, when not escaping to his Kapiti Coast beach house.

Get in touch with Max in the Wellington studio.

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Founding director John Melhuish, Registered Architect, FNZIA, manages the Wellington studio with Max Herriot and is the key contact for Tauranga and Bay of Plenty projects.

Before co-founding Herriot + Melhuish Architecture in 1997, John worked for a decade for one of New Zealand’s most high-profile practices, Athfield Architects. Sir Ian Athfield (1940-2015) was a mentor; his design philosophy and studio culture continue to inspire the practice. John has both led and worked within large and diverse project teams, focussed on achieving the best quality through the coordination and collaboration of other design disciplines. John has extensive experience in a wide range and scale of projects and a particular interest in the contemporary adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. He believes in a strong emphasis on the craft of detail throughout the design process. Recent projects include: National Academy of Screen Arts, Massey University (2022– ), Whangārei House (2022), Petone Townhouses Seaborne Development (2019–2022), 135 Jackson St, Petone (2021) and Te Awe, Wellington City Library (2019–2020).

A Fellow of the NZ Institute of Architects, John is a previous Chair of the Building Research Advisory Council for BRANZ, was a member of the Wellington City Council Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the Wellington Waterfront from 2005-2011 and a member of NZIA Council from 2009-2014.

A Napier Boys High School old-boy, John played hockey for New Zealand from 1981 to 1986 and is now an avid trail runner. He lives in Strathmore, Wellington, and spends time in Mt Maunganui where he's a keen surfer.

Get in touch with John in the Wellington studio.

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Director Duval O'Neill, Registered Architect; ANZIA, manages the Christchurch studio. Duval joined Herriot + Melhuish Architecture in 2002, working on both commercial and residential projects. In January 2005, the pull home to the mainland became too much so Duval established the Christchurch studio where he quickly established strong relationships within the Canterbury construction sector, and acquired a strong portfolio of committed clients, including St Bedes College. Duval became an Associate with HMA in 2005 and a Director in 2007. He was lead architect on the Clifton Hill House, Christchurch (2011), a finalist in the 2013 Home of the Year. Recent projects include: Super Lot 1 for Fletcher Living Residential (current), Hokitika Government Buildings (current), Redcliffs House (2023), Carriage Quarter Apartments (2024), Port Hills House (2022) and Mt Pleasant House (2022)

Before HMOA, in 1996 Duval worked in architectural practices in London on a range of large-scale urban regeneration projects, commercial developments and quality roof-top housing developments. Back in New Zealand in 2000, he worked with Stephenson and Turner (NZ) Ltd on large-scale commercial projects where he became an Associate.

Born and bred in Southland, Duval lives in the Christchurch suburb of Mt Pleasant but regularly explores Central Otago on both his mountain bike and skis. Read a Stuff article on Duval's own home and other Christchurch houses he has worked on.

Get in touch with Duval in the Christchurch studio.

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Director Matt Pearson, Registered Architect, ANZIA, runs the Auckland studio alongside Matt Robinson. As well as his own architectural projects, Matt is well-connected to all sectors of the building industry. On graduating from Auckland University in 1990, he bought a ute and a drop-saw and started his own development projects, initially designing and building small houses in his childhood home of Manurewa, before moving onto complex buildings, including apartment blocks in the Auckland ‘city fringe’. In between his own developments, in 1998 Matt worked in London for SKF Architects.

Matt joined Herriot Melhuish O’Neill Architects in 2016 and founded the Auckland studio. Recent projects include the apartment developments Buscombe Ave Apartments (2022) and Rose Rd Apartments (2023), as well as a number of social housing projects for Kāinga Ora Housing New Zealand.

Matt lives with his family in Parnell and thrives on the surf in Whāingaroa where he spends many weekends.

Get in touch with Matt in the Auckland studio.

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Director and Registered Architect, ANZIA, Matt Robinson has relocated to Wānaka from Auckland and is overseeing the design of new homes, renovations and commercial projects in the Queenstown Wānaka region. Matt remains involved with the Auckland studio, regularly commuting between the North and South Islands to work with fellow Auckland director, Matt Pearson.

Read a 2026 Archipro profile on Matt here.

Matt has over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential architecture and, before joining HMOA, also worked on large-scale projects at Plus Architecture, Leuschke Group Architects and RTA Studio. These included multiple multi-unit and hotel developments.

Matt aligns his design and technical skills with solid experience in business development and project management—all complemented by an earlier career as a landscape designer.

Recent HMOA projects include the apartment developments Sero Apartments, Buscombe Ave Apartments (2022) and Rose Rd Apartments (2024), as well as several social housing projects for Kāinga Ora Housing New Zealand.

Brought up in rural Waikato, Matt's Auckland home, Westmere House, has featured in Here magazine.

Contact Matt Robinson here.

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