The award is named after Moana Wirihana (Te Kawerau ā Maki) whose leadership saw the design and construction of many wharenui (meeting houses) in New Zealand.

It is named for Lillian Chrystall who in 1967 was the first woman to win a New Zealand Institute of Architects national award.

[3] The jury for the 2023 awards had four members: Justine Clark, Craig Moller, Sarah Treadwell and Carinnya Feaunati.

[4] The jury for the 2020 awards was Lori Brown, Julia Gatley, Raukura Turei and Andrew Tu’inukuafe.

[1] The jury for the 2017 awards was Brit Andresen, Sharon Jansen, Anna Tong and Dave Strachan.