Research from the University of Canterbury and Earth Sciences New Zealand suggests that under a warmer climate, future storms similar to Cyclone Gabrielle could become more extreme, triggering tens of thousands more landslides in vulnerable areas of the North Island and highlighting the need for targeted planning. In 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle triggered an estimated 800,000 landslides across the North Island, which researchers say makes it one of the most extreme landslide even

New Zealand’s vocational education reforms have fundamentally changed how landscapers are trained, with independent providers delivering workplace learning and a new industry-aligned body responsible for qualifications and standards. The changes follow the Government’s reform of the vocational education system, which has seen the former Te Pūkenga model dismantled and vocational education return to independent providers. For the landscaping sector, this marks a significant sh

New Zealand’s top emerging landscaping talent will gather in Christchurch this September for the 2026 Young Landscaper of the Year competition, with Mitre 10 continuing its support of the industry’s future leaders. Taking place at Christchurch Botanic Gardens on 19 September, Young Landscaper of the Year (YLOY) brings together the best talent from across the country – 30 years of age or under – to test their skills, knowledge and professionalism in a demanding one-day compet

As New Zealand's cities continue to grow, new research suggests incentives could play an important role in helping retain established trees during housing intensification. As part of his PhD in Forestry at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), Dr David Pedley investigated whether incentive schemes could encourage property developers to preserve mature trees on development sites. The study explored the views of property developers involved in housing int

BRANZ-funded research shows that up to 80% of plastic waste can be diverted from landfill – offering practical insights for landscapers aiming to improve onsite sustainability through better planning and material management. The research examined 7.2T of plastic waste collected from six separate construction sites in Auckland, which was separated and categorised into 46 groups. In total, 4.5T was kept out of landfill. The best-performing site diverted about 80% of its plastic

Landscape professionals in Australia’s capital are pushing back against a proposed licensing framework – a discussion that may sound familiar to New Zealand contractors navigating our own regulatory environment. The Landscape Association (TLA) in Australia is leading a renewed campaign to have structural landscaping formally recognised within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government’s trade licensing review, arguing that excluding the sector risks creating unnecessar

Regulatory changes for the construction industry are reshaping the operating environment. We’re here to help business owners and landscapers stay up to speed when undertaking consented work Recent months have seen developments in building regulation and related systems that have implications across the sector. This overview brings together four key updates. Granny flat exemptions From 15 January 2026, new rules allow certain small, standalone dwellings – commonly referred to

Recently announced legislative updates will make it easier to build granny flats – but what will that mean for landscapers? This article provides some answers The Government has passed the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwellings) Amendment Bill, enabling simple detached dwellings of up to 70m² to be constructed without a building consent from early 2026. At the same time, a proposed National Environmental Standard (NES) is intended to remove the need for resourc

The Government has announced the biggest overhaul of New Zealand’s building consent system in two decades, with a liability shift likely to affect landscaping projects that require consents Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has said he will shift liability in the construction industry from joint and several liability to a proportionate model. Currently, councils can be forced to shoulder the majority of costs when building failures occur, even if they were only pa

Tauranga horticulture professional Zoë Taylor was a finalist in the 2025 Wāhine Toa Award – a prestigious category at the National...

This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who...

Primary ITO has confirmed it will continue supporting New Zealand’s landscaping workforce through a major overhaul of the vocational...

Landscapers could find business improving over the next 12 months, with data released by Stats NZ and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand...

Landscaping is more than just curb appeal – it’s a powerful tool in achieving a more sustainable environment One area in which...

Apprenticeships are key to career pathways in landscaping, says Primary ITO Sector Manager Mark Orr, who has seen at first-hand the...

The Government has announced a range of changes to employment law, which could come into effect later in 2025. One change highly relevant...

This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who...

An example of compliant retaining walls, constructed by Onlandscapes In October 2024, a complaint was filed against David Driver, a Brick...

A landscaping firm has been fined after it let a “black odorous substance” flow into the waterway near its Eves Valley site Azwood Ltd...

Keeping gardens and outdoor living spaces cool and comfortable over summer is a key consideration for many homeowners – and will likely...