‘Outsider’ Garth Falconer puts forward a set of ideas for reconsidering the structure of Cathedral Square in Ōtautahi Christchurch. His proposition consists of what he describes as a “series of practical moves that could breathe new life into this cherished civic space”.

Matariki this year fell neatly in the middle of the Tangaroa lunar period of 19-22 June, and has been widely marked around the motu. LAA has compiled a selection of happenings: the re-siting of Ngā Pou o Heretaunga to Hastings Civic Square, special plantings at Wellington Botanic Garden ki Paekākā and an exhibition at Cornwall Park called ‘Matariki Weather’.

Nik Kneale - who became a Fellow of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects in May - has been making his mark as a Landscape Architect for almost 25 years. Ōtautahi Christchurch is and always will be the place Nik journeys back and forth to, his ahi kā.

The timing for the Wellington branches of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects and Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects to collaborate on a City Talks event dedicated to remembering celebrated landscape architect Megan Wraight could not have been more fitting.

There are many colourful threads to the story behind Richard Bain’s deserved recognition as a Fellow of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, as celebrated in May in Heretaunga Hastings on the night before the 2025 NZILA Firth Wānanga.

Two major global conference events will be held on our shores for the first time in 2025, starting with the International Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025) in Ōtautahi Christchurch in October and then the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH 2025) in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington in November. Read our latest ‘events watch’ here.

SURVEY OPEN TO MONDAY 4 AUGUST: Maria Rodgers, a PhD candidate at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, is seeking landscape architects to participate in a survey in the subject area of plants of place and identity - and the plants being planted in urban public spaces.   

Hastings District Council Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst - pictured above - provided a warm welcome to all those attending the NZILA Firth Wānanga on 22-23 May. “Small scale farmer” Alison Bentley of Tikitere Farm, has generously supplied her reflections as a first-time-ever participant, external to the landscape architecture profession.

This week Auckland Council announced that as of 1 July an Auckland Urban Development Office is being put in place. It will be responsible for driving integrated implementation and delivery of quality urban development in the council group’s identified growth priority areas and large-scale projects.

Josh Zeunert’s adventures in landscape architecture foreshadow the content of the exciting programme for this year’s NZILA Firth Wānanga 2025 being hosted in Heretaunga Hastings on 22-23 May. The countdown is on!

Pukeahu National War Memorial Park lives on as a precedent for the integration of infrastructure, the subtle layering of cultural and heritage values and the provision of open inner-city space.

World Landscape Architecture Month is a fitting time to reflect on the excellence of the work performed by landscape architects in Aotearoa New Zealand every year. This article is a reminder of the collective showcase of projects available to view, refer to and share from NZILA.co.nz

As a significant prelude to its National Awards in October, the 2025 edition of the AILA Chapter programme concluded in June with a total of 35 Awards of Excellence across 13 instructive Categories.

Amongst the 15 National Awards presented by the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects in 2025 the work done by Janet Rosenberg & Studio (JRS) on the design of Kìwekì Point in Ottawa flew highest.

Newly qualified as a landscape architect and eager to stretch his legs, Lukas Morton is gaining a world of new insights and experiences after seeking out an opportunity to work in Kathmandu, Nepal, at Amar Architecture.

The Australian Urban Design Awards, announced in Sydney earlier this year, are co-convened by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA), the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). AILA Chapters will be concluding their ‘Awards season’ this week and LAA will be compiling a compendium of the winners.

Two major global conference events will be held on our shores for the first time in 2025, starting with the International Adaptation Futures Conference (AF2025) in Ōtautahi Christchurch in October and then the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH 2025) in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington in November. Read our latest ‘events watch’ here.

Hastings District Council Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst - pictured above - provided a warm welcome to all those attending the NZILA Firth Wānanga on 22-23 May. “Small scale farmer” Alison Bentley of Tikitere Farm, has generously supplied her reflections as a first-time-ever participant, external to the landscape architecture profession.

Renowned around the world, landscape architect Richard Weller died on 15 May. His life is being celebrated for the profundity and endurance of his contributions.

In his reflections on San Clemente - commonly referred to as the “Spanish Village by the Sea” - Garth Falconer draws some antecedents and parallels to patterns of development that washed up here and have exerted various influences.

This month Bruno Marques, IFLA President, announced the launch of 19 Working Programmes. Landscape architects and related professionals from around the world are being invited to register to take part in programmes that align with their expertise and passion. He waka eka noa!

To conclude World Landscape Architecture Month, the leadership team of the New York chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects share some insights into the vibrant spirit of ASLA-NY.

Compared to the phenomenon known as ‘starchitects’, the amount of widescreen attention given to landscape architects is very thin on the ground. Sitting Still, a documentary that draws from the insightful life-views of Laurie Olin, is a welcome arrival that is inspiring many - as reflected on by Ralph Johns.

Ready to read: Across its six contributions, the latest edition of the journal Landscape Review draws from diverse voices and modes of scholarship. Its aim, as expressed by guest editor Hannah Hopewell, is to “extend contemporary understandings of the ways collective and relational qualities of landscape and waterscape manifest”.

The Resene Architecture & Design Film Festival programme for May promises a solid combo of artists and landscape architecture, including a documentary that sets out the philosophy of Laurie Olin. LAA spoke with curator Yasmine Ganley for insights.