Built for the Coast

From unforgiving salt-laden winds to mercilessly steep terrain, landscaping in Wellington demands careful planning and durable construction. A recent project by local 'legends' Scapegoats demonstrates how designing for long-term resilience is one of the most sustainable choices a landscaper can make.

Established in 2015, Scapegoats delivers end-to-end landscaping services with sustainability at its core – something that starts with designing landscapes capable of flourishing in one of New Zealand's most challenging environments. A recent project in Seatoun is a great example.

"Longevity was one of the client's highest priorities," says Scapegoats co-director Kylie Herrick. "We believe one of the most sustainable decisions you can make is to build something that is designed to last for decades rather than needing frequent replacement."

Located at the eastern tip of the Miramar Peninsula, where Wellington Harbour meets Cook Strait, Seatoun is a short drive from Wellington's CBD but feels more like a seaside village than a city suburb, stretching along a sandy beach beneath rugged headlands and rocky reefs at the harbour's edge.

Out of the ordinary

The design process was unusual, says Kylie, but contributed to an exceptional design.

"It was a collaborative effort between my husband [and co-director] Reuben and our client, with both contributing creative ideas and practical solutions throughout the process.

"While this isn't our typical approach, it worked really well on this project because our client had a fantastic eye for design and had invested a great deal of thought and research into creating a space that would suit her family's lifestyle."

Part of the brief was to design an entrance that reflected the rugged beauty of the coast, while still feeling warm and welcoming.

"It needed to withstand constant exposure to salt spray, strong winds and harsh coastal conditions, while creating a memorable first impression for visitors," she explains.

"Perhaps the greatest endorsement of the project came shortly after completion," says Kylie. "Wellington was hit by a series of severe storms but the landscaping performed exceptionally well, and our clients were delighted by how resilient everything proved to be."

Form and function

At the back, the brief shifted from arrival to relaxation. The clients wanted a private outdoor living space that felt like a natural extension of the house, centred around a fully equipped outdoor kitchen designed for year-round entertaining.

It is one of the project's standout features. Drawing on techniques refined across previous projects, Scapegoats developed a custom concrete benchtop that delivers a premium finish within budget.

The kitchen was tailored specifically to the clients' needs, incorporating a plumbed sink alongside dedicated spaces for a range of outdoor cooking appliances, allowing the space to function as a true extension of the home.

While visually distinct, both spaces were united by the same philosophy of investing in quality construction and carefully considered design to create a landscape built to last.

Shaped by location

That philosophy has been influenced by the environment Scapegoats works in every day, developed over more than ten years in business.

Originally established under the name Fence & Deck Co., following several years of Reuben working for others, the couple's original vision was modest.

"The plan was for Reuben to work largely on his own, building fences and decks, while I continued in my corporate career and looked after the accounts, admin and marketing on evenings and weekends," says Kylie. "It didn't stay small for long."

Demand quickly exceeded expectation, with the business growing from a sole operator to a team of 13 permanent staff within its first year.

As clients increasingly sought complete landscape transformations rather than individual structures, the company rebranded as Scapegoats in 2018 – a name inspired by Wellington's steep hillsides and the team's ability to tackle difficult sites.

Those sites continue to shape how the company approaches every project.

"Working in Wellington presents challenges that landscapers elsewhere don't always face," Reuben says. "The city's steep topography, combined with its notorious wind, makes almost every project physically demanding."

Many projects involve difficult access, significant level changes and substantial engineering.

"It's not uncommon for half of a client's budget to be invested in retaining walls, foundations and structural work before any of the visible landscaping even begins," says Reuben.

Rooted in the environment

Rather than viewing those constraints as obstacles, Scapegoats has built its reputation on overcoming them with practical and elegant solutions.

Planting forms a key part of Scapegoats' approach. The Seatoun project was planted mostly with hardy New Zealand native coastal species, such as Libertia ixioides (NZ native iris), Hebe 'Wiri Splash' and Griselinia littoralis, selected specifically for the site's windy, salt-laden environment.

Using plants adapted to local conditions reduces the need for irrigation, ongoing maintenance and replacement, while creating habitat for native birds and insects. As the planting matures, the landscape will continue to become more resilient.

Material selection followed the same principles.

"The alfresco deck was constructed using FSC-certified Kwila from PlaceMakers," says Reuben.

"That's something we never compromise on – and we appreciate PlaceMakers' commitment to stocking only FSC-certified Kwila, as it aligns with our own commitment to responsible sourcing of products.

"The certification provides independent assurance that the timber has been sourced from responsibly managed forests that protect biodiversity, waterways and the rights of workers and local communities."

Looking ahead

Scapegoats is committed to investing in apprenticeships, ongoing training and leadership development, believing that raising industry standards is essential to the future of landscaping.

Reuben thinks New Zealand's landscaping industry is moving in the right direction but says balancing sustainability with affordability remains one of its biggest challenges.

"Many environmentally responsible products and construction methods come at a premium and, in the current economic climate, not every homeowner has the budget to make those choices."

He expects growing awareness of climate resilience, water management and native biodiversity will continue to influence landscape design, alongside improvements in sustainable materials and construction techniques. For Scapegoats, however, the principle remains unchanged.

"As an industry, we need to continue educating homeowners about the value of investing in well designed, well-constructed landscapes that will perform for decades rather than just a few years."

In Seatoun, where every landscape must contend with sun, salt, rain and wind, that philosophy has already proven its worth.