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

Luijten Landscaping has won the Premier Design Award for its clever planning, lush planting and innovative pool fencing on a tight suburban site The Orewa Sub-Tropical Retreat project turned a residential garden into a lush, resort-inspired haven – wowing judges and clients alike. It was praised for its spatial clarity and well-resolved layout, realising the homeowners’ vision of a Balinese-style retreat while integrating existing structures and natural contours. Maximising s

Second Nature’s verdant Ponsonby garden project – ‘Urban Sanctuary’ – was selected for this year’s Supreme Award and won both Best Softscape Project of the Year and Best Maintenance Project of the Year Celebrated for its serene structure, artistic planting and masterful upkeep, the ‘Urban Sanctuary’ project wowed judges across disciplines. What starts as an understated suburban driveway quickly opens into an expansive and immersive landscape, revealing one of the most detaile

The Kiwi backyard is a space for bringing people together to play, relax – and eat. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Rebecca Hughes looks at the best herbs and edibles to help outdoor spaces flourish with life-enhancing sustenance In the summer, we played endless games of cricket and touch with the whanau and kids next door; we swung on the washing line, picked apples straight from the tree, and we helped with the veggie patch. Many of us grew up with edibles at home – bu

As Kiwi homeowners push to get more out of their properties, adding basketball courts, tennis courts and putting greens, landscapers are increasingly running into a common problem – site coverage limits Most district plans across New Zealand restrict how much of a property can be covered by hard, impermeable surfaces, such as concrete and asphalt. For sites already at or near their maximum coverage, even a single additional paved court can push the build over the line – stopp

Traditionally, the provision of play (especially for children) has been limited to specific zones, such as parks, playgrounds and sports facilities. But these are not the only – nor always the preferred – places people play in. There is growing awareness of the need to better provide time, space and freedom for play in our cities. Dr. Damien Puddle, Local Play Advocate, Invercargill City Council, explores how landscapes can create play opportunities through design Traditional

Tauranga horticulture professional Zoë Taylor was a finalist in the 2025 Wāhine Toa Award – a prestigious category at the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Excellence Awards, recognising the achievements of tradeswomen across New Zealand’s construction, building and infrastructure sectors Currently working as a Team Gardener at Arvida Bethlehem Country Club, Taylor leads a five-person team maintaining 172 villas cross the retirement village’s expansive gro

Mitre 10 offers every product landscapers might need – from paving to decking to plants and everything in between. Check out our top fencing picks below! Finn contour: High-end looks, easy installation If you’re looking for a high-end fencing option that’s as practical as it is stylish, the Finn Contour Panel ticks all the boxes. This clever, powder-coated aluminium panel is simple to assemble and install and comes available in flat-pack form, making it easy to pick off the

Landscaping in New Zealand is evolving rapidly – and GameOn Turf and Court Kings are helping landscapers deliver the change For many, gone are the days when a backyard meant only grass and gardens. Across New Zealand, homeowners are looking to transform ordinary outdoor spaces into dynamic zones for recreation and entertaining. Whether it’s sinking a birdie putt, shooting hoops, or hosting weekend fun, Kiwi backyards are being redesigned with purpose. Leading the charge is th

Engineered timber specialist Prolam has introduced a practical five-step process to help landscape professionals design and build pergolas that are strong, stylish and built to last A pergola can completely transform an outdoor space – offering shade, shelter an living and entertaining. From alfresco dining and poolside retreats to elegant entryways and garden features, pergolas remain one of the most versatile and impactful features in outdoor design. For landscapers, th

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 part one of this two-part series, Kathryn McKinney from law firm Martelli McKegg answers some common questions on this topic The first question an employer probably has when an employee says they’re pregnant is ‘what do I need to

Primary ITO has confirmed it will continue supporting New Zealand’s landscaping workforce through a major overhaul of the vocational education system, which will see Te Pūkenga disestablished and replaced by an industry-led training model Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds announced in July that the Government would wind down Te Pūkenga, the national polytechnic network, and shift to a new framework, where work-based training is delivered by approved providers under t

This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who are currently working in the industry Interviewee: Liz Bennett Location: Auckland Role: Director – Busy Lizzy Gardens Landscaping is a super rewarding career and I would encourage anyone who loves working outdoors to get involved. There are not many women in management roles – but we actually find it helpful to be a little unique and sta

Landscapers could find business improving over the next 12 months, with data released by Stats NZ and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand indicating that residential construction may pick up According to recent data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, total monthly new mortgage lending for April 2025 was $7.6bn – a rise of 28% when compared to April 2024 and up from a low of $4.1bn in January 2023. Furthermore, the number of new mortgage commitments has increased by 22.7% from