James Hackshaw architectural drawings and associated papers

James Joseph Hackshaw (1926-1999) was born in the small King Country settlement of Mananui near Taumaranui. He was raised in Auckland and studied architecture at Auckland University College (now the University of Auckland) after the Second World War. He, along with several other students, formed the Group Construction Company, later Group Architects. Their objective was to design architecture specific to New Zealand.

After graduating in 1951, Hackshaw studied in Paris from 1952-1953, funded through an External Affairs Bursary. Upon returning to New Zealand he continued to design with the Group Architects before establishing his own practice in 1958. In addition to the numerous residences he designed he undertook a number churches, chapels and related religious buildings primarily for the Roman Catholic Church.

Hackshaw was given life membership of the New Zealand Institute of Architects in 1975. Towards the end of his life he worked and lived in the family home he designed in St Heliers. He died in 1999.