The Kiwi backyard is a space for bringing people together to play, relax and eat. In Part 2 of this series, Rebecca Hughes looks at apple trees – an all-time favourite for adding life-enhancing sustenance to outdoor spaces There are a wide variety of edible fruits to pick from, but none as dependably delicious as the apple (Malus domestica). Apples first came to New Zealand with the missionary Samuel Marsden in 1819 and now there are thousands of varieties available. While o

Extreme weather events are causing higher temperatures and flash floods in urban areas – due in large part to a growing footprint of conventional concrete surfaces, which trap heat and block rain from soaking into the ground. Permcon offers a solution As highlighted in the BRANZ article on pages 10-11 of this magazine, we can’t keep paving our cities the same way – we need smarter, greener, infrastructure. Permcon permeable concrete offers a practical way forward. It looks li

For many small to medium-sized businesses, dealing with parental leave can be daunting without the resources available to larger organisations. Understanding your obligations and getting good advice from professional advisers can help you through. In the final part of this series, Kathryn McKinney from law firm Martelli McKegg answers some common questions on this topic In Part 1, we covered how an employee knows if their employer is entitled to parental leave, the differenc

The Government’s plan to shift the construction sector to a proportional liability regime is set to ease pressure on councils – but may leave the main contractor exposed to greater compliance burdens and legal responsibility for subcontractor mistakes. In this opinion piece, Builtin construction insurance expert Ben Rickard explores the implications for landscapers carrying out work that requires a building consent The Government has announced that it intends to switch the co

Earthworks compact soil so much that it sucks the air out of it, making it little better than paving at soaking up water in severe weather. University of Auckland Engineering and Design PHD student Sue Ira explains Walk down almost any new Auckland subdivision and you’ll notice the tidy strips of grass, freshly planted shrubs and young trees along the berms. They look green, healthy and good for the environment. But dig a little deeper, literally, and you’ll find that the so

Choosing trees is as much about foresight as it is about aesthetics. In this expert guide, Jon Muller explains how selecting the right species – and siting it carefully – can turn potential problems into long-term landscape assets When I visit more established gardens, there are often large trees on site. However, they are regularly not suitable for the location in terms of their size and position in the landscape. Estate agents love to say ‘location, location, location’ – an

Kūmānu Environmental has received the Special Feature Award at the 2025 Landscapes of Distinction Awards for its standout work on Te Pā Harakeke Judges said it was “a prime example of how a single project can seamlessly integrate complex stormwater management, tidal flows, ecological restoration and an ever-evolving play space”. Under the leadership of Richard Smethurst and Euan Milne, Kūmānu Environmental transformed an underutilised estuarine site in Nelson into a public pl

A bold, resort-style garden in Strowan has won Onlandscapes’ Watford Street project the People’s Choice Premier Award for 2025 The design, by Botanic Landscape Architects a nd delivered under extreme time pressure into a family-ready oasis. Working around tight access, underground services, established trees and an existing earthquake-damaged pool, the Onlandscapes team executed a multi-layered brief that included an outdoor kitchen, a custom fire unit, pergolas, a golf putti

Evie Smith took top honours with Rachel’s Garden, a layered and sophisticated response to a steep and community-connected site in Te Kōwhai Her design, praised by judges for its clarity, balance and ecological integrity, explores the garden as a space for both private reflection and public generosity. The 3,158m² site drops 9m from house to stream, with Te Otamanui Stream forming the lower boundary. Smith retained the site’s open character and existing movement patterns – inc

Luijten Landscaping won for its vibrant and technically ambitious redevelopment of the Otāhuhu Primary School free play area – a project that redefined a neglected site into a flagship space for active learning and inclusive adventure The redevelopment turned an underused area into a sculpted, multi-functional landscape at the heart of the school. “The impact on our students has been immense,” said school leadership. “It has significantly boosted engagement, attendance, and m

South Pacific Landscapes emerges victorious at the 2025 LOD Awards on completion of a five-year transformation of an historic Havelock North estate South Pacific Landscapes has completed one of its most ambitious residential projects to date with the unveiling of Kopanga – a five-year transformation of an historic Havelock North homestead into a formal garden estate. The project brings together classical landscape forms with contemporary materials and detailing, featuring ex

Kūmānu Environmental’s epic undertaking helped transform a flood-ravaged valley into a thriving public asset and ecological success story An ambitious ecological restoration effort on Nelson’s eastern fringe has earned accolades at this year’s awards, with Kūmānu Environmental’s Mahitahi and Groom Creek Redevelopments winning the Premier Environmental/Revegetation Award for a project that has revitalised an entire river corridor. Complex project done well What began as a sto