Landscapes that last

From pool building and playground design and build in Australia to running a design-and-build operation in Tauranga, Land Design HQ director Shaun Eckhoff has developed a grounded, practical approach to landscaping – guided by the importance of kaitiakitanga (guardianship).

Shaun Eckhoff’s pathway into landscaping didn’t follow a straight line – and his journey has shaped the way he approaches client projects today.

Growing up in King Country before moving to Hamilton, his first exposure to the industry came through a holiday job with his uncle, who was a one-man-band landscaper. After school, Shaun moved into the building trade, working as a labourer before transitioning into frame and truss manufacturing. A long-standing interest in design, however, prompted him to study architecture and move in a more creative direction.

After completing his studies, Shaun designed and built swimming pools before heading to Australia, where he spent eight years working on high-end residential landscaping and playground projects. The latter introduced a new way of thinking about space – focusing on how people, particularly children, interact with their environment.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN DESIGN AND BUILD

When Shaun returned to New Zealand with his young family, settling in Tauranga, he brought that combined experience with him – and a clear idea of what he wanted to do differently.

After years of running projects and managing client relationships, the move into business ownership felt like a natural next step. More than that, it was driven by a desire to address what he saw as a disconnect within the industry.

“There was always a gap between design and construction,” he says.

That thinking became the foundation for Land Design HQ, which delivers a range of residential projects from full landscape renovations to pool surrounds, decking, paving and outdoor living spaces.

With design a key part of the offering, Shaun says the business is weighted slightly towards construction – with a practical approach underpinning every project.

“I do a lot of design but it’s not always about producing full sets of plans right off the mark,” he explains. “It’s about working through ideas with the client and making sure that what we’re proposing can actually be delivered.”

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE

With sustainability a growing focus across the industry, Shaun’s perspective is straightforward.

“With everything I do, I keep kaitiakitanga (guardianship) front of mind. For me, guardianship of the land means doing the job once and doing it properly,” he says. “Don’t just pump things out that are going to fail or need replacing in a short period of time.”

In practice, that means prioritising quality materials, careful detailing and robust construction methods – even when it requires a higher upfront investment.

Shaun also incorporates more visible sustainability measures where possible – particularly in play space projects. A recent project at Te Puna Kindergarten near Tauranga provides a strong example.

Tasked with creating a water play area, Shaun was faced with the challenge of delivering a sustainable outcome within the constraints of early childhood safety requirements. Recycling water, for instance, wasn’t a viable option due to hygiene risks.

Instead, the solution focused on control, efficiency and multi-use design.

“We introduced multiple ways of controlling the water,” he explains. “There’s a master valve and individual valves for different elements.”

Water can also be diverted into a sandpit, allowing a second use and creating an additional play experience. Existing materials were repurposed wherever possible.

“We found 50 to 60 rocks onsite that we were able to reuse,” he says. “Sustainability is about looking at what’s already there and working with it, rather than just starting from scratch.”

RAISING STANDARDS

Shaun’s commitment to better practice is reflected in Land Design HQ’s SiteWise Green accreditation, which sets a benchmark for health, safety and environmental management on site. Achieving the certification required developing systems around waste management, site processes, and environmental responsibility – a process Shaun undertook himself.

He is also a member of Registered Master Landscapers (RML), which further reinforces his commitment to quality and professionalism within the industry.

“Being part of RML gives clients confidence,” he says. “It shows you’re serious about your work and about maintaining standards.”

For Shaun, it’s about lifting expectations across the sector, particularly as landscaping evolves.