When Matt Morrison left school on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and picked up a shovel for a two-week work experience placement, he had no idea it would set the foundation for a life in landscaping Now, alongside his wife Becs, he owns and runs Total Landscape Solutions in Palmerston North – a company known for its professionalism, strong communication and diverse skillset. Following his placement, Matt completed a four-year trade apprenticeship in structural landscaping in Austr

Mitre 10 offers every paving product landscapers might need – from concrete to porcelain paving. Check out our top product picks below! Rusk Terrazzo paving range by Horizon International is a premium paving solution designed for residential and commercial applications – and is available at Mitre 10 now! These concrete pavers are New Zealand-made and crafted using advanced Italian hydraulic press technology, applying 750T PSI pressure to create dense and durable pavers. This

If you’re considering training for your landscaping team, there’s never been a better time. With the Apprenticeship Boost continuing in 2026, enrolling new or existing staff into a Primary ITO Landscaping Apprenticeship is an opportunity not to be missed Employers taking on a new apprentice, or looking to enrol existing team members, may be eligible for $500 a month, per apprentice, through the Apprenticeship Boost. This payment is made directly to employers to help retain an

Trees are integral to our health and the environment. They stabilise the soil, support wildlife and sequester carbon – as well as adding colour and interest to outdoor spaces in all seasons. In this article, horticulture expert Rebecca Hughes from Blue Mountain Nurseries discusses the best trees for small spaces Firstly, trees of all sizes are best planted in autumn and winter. However, if water is available, you can plant all year round. That being said, there are a few thin

When designing or installing a pool, it’s important to be aware of the relevant safety legislation. This article by MBIE takes an in-depth look at the current requirements These rules are designed to protect young children from the danger of drowning. All residential pools that can hold 40cm (400mm) or more of water require a physical barrier to restrict access to unsupervised children. This includes portable and temporary pools. If you are purchasing or fitting a pool, whic

With fines increasing and insurance cover for those fines now banned, the stakes for working around protected trees have never been higher – as a recent case shows In October, DS Trees Limited was fined $29,250 in the Auckland District Court after illegally trimming a protected tōtara in Mt Eden. The company admitted cutting three branches over 50mm in diameter without the required consent, damaging the tree’s shape and breaching District Plan rules protecting notable trees.

With granny flats set to be exempt from requiring a consent in early 2026, many homeowners are seeing an easier path to adding a second dwelling to their properties. However, with site coverage limits still applying, increasing the build footprint could cause an issue when it comes paths, driveways and carparks. That’s where Permcon permeable concrete can offer a practical and sustainable solution The government has passed the Building and Construction (Small Standalone Dwell

A friend from the South Island recently asked me about planting near pools, as her partner was in the process of building one on their property It got me thinking. In this case, the pool is surrounded by large evergreen native trees. While we often think of deciduous trees as big leaf droppers, all trees drop leaves to varying degrees. One example is Metrosideros excelsa (pōhutukawa). While you shouldn’t have these trees anywhere near buildings or structures due to their ver

New Zealand’s landscape industry continues to evolve, with clients increasingly seeking outdoor environments that reflect the same level of architectural intent and material quality found in the built form Into this space comes Archipello. – a new range of architecturally designed landscape elements, curated specifically for the New Zealand market and available exclusively through Advance Landscape Systems. Archipello. is not positioned as a decorative afterthought. It is a d

Careful planning and a Tiny Pool solution helped Sole Landscapes deliver a stylish and compliant pool solution on a steep, space-limited site When Sole Landscapes director Jono Sole and his team took on a new-build landscaping project in Waikanae, around 60km north of Wellington, it was clear from the outset that it wasn’t going to be a straightforward job. The site was steep, compact and heavily constrained by the footprint of the house, driveway access and council infrastru

Christchurch City Council now requires its landscape contractors to be members of Registered Master Landscapers (RML) or hold equivalent qualifications, as RML launches a new recruitment tool to support members nationwide Christchurch City Council (CCC) has become the first local authority to formally recognise RML as a qualification benchmark for contractors, reinforcing the value of RML membership and strengthening the organisation’s profile nationwide. CCC has updated its

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

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 MORGAN + POLLARD LANDSCAPES Interviewee: Adam Pollard – Managing Director Location: Christchurch Staff: 60 We believe that training apprentices is essential for keeping industry standards high. We were all trained by someone once, and we believe we have a duty to train others in the same way. Some