Auckland Zoo scoops gold for Te Wao Nui in landscape awards

31 July 2012

Zoo scoops gold for Te Wao Nui in landscape awards

Auckland Zoo’s curator of horticulture, Hugo Baynes, has won Landscaping New Zealand’s supreme award in the 2012 Landscapes of Distinction Awards for the NZ precinct, Te Wao Nui – the Zoo’s largest ever project.

Along with winning the Landscape of the Year Award and three golds - for Landscape Design, Horticulture, and Garden Management, Te Wao Nui also won the Best Sustainable Landscape, Best Use of Native Plants, Best Horticulture, and Best Garden Management (large project) awards.

The overall award recognised consistency in quality and excellence throughout the planning, planting and maintenance of Te Wao Nui’s habitats - The Coast, The Islands, The Wetlands, The Forest, and The High Country

Judges said: “This design shows sensitivity and expertise at all levels and results in a magical journey for visitors that highlights the very best and special natural character of New Zealand. Zoos are much more than animals! The renewed focus on flora, as well as fauna, is extraordinary and educational…and the planting design of this space is inspirational.”

The Zoo’s curator of horticulture, Hugo Baynes, says the win is both tremendous and humbling and the result of many passionate people.

“It was a truly collaborative effort. The Zoo’s horticultural team and Natural Habitats contractors did a superb job helping install the landscape on a canvas beautifully designed and compiled by designer Logan Brewer and proudly built by NZ Strong. It’s been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a real joy to be involved in a project where New Zealand native flora and fauna are showcased in representative iconic habitats, that by their very nature, encourage visitors to explore, connect and protect our natural heritage,” says Mr Baynes.

Auckland Zoo director Jonathan Wilcken says local and overseas visitors have flocked to see Te Wao Nui since it opened last September – a major catalyst for the Zoo attracting a record 710,000 visitors in the 12 months ended 30 June.

“It’s wonderful to receive these landscaping awards for Te Wao Nui - the biggest and most important project in our 90-year history, and a real tribute to Hugo and his team, and everyone involved,” says Mr Wilcken.

Landscaping New Zealand’s Landscapes of Distinction Awards is a biennial event that recognises excellence in the fields of landscape design, construction and maintenance, encompassing commercial and residential projects.

2012 Landscaping New Zealand awards won by Auckland Zoo:
• 2012 Landscape of the Year
• The Living Earth: Best Sustainable Landscape
• The Dalton’s Landscape Supplies: Best Horticulture Large Project
• NZ Landscape Supplies: Best Garden Management
• Naturally Native: Best Use of Native Plants
• GOLD: Landscape Design – large project category
• GOLD: Landscape Horticulture – large project category
• GOLD: Garden Management – large project category

The 2012 judges were Renee Davies, Head of Department of Landscape Architecture at Unitec, Grant Eyre from Growing Spectrum Plant Nursery, and Richard Hart, architect.

About Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo is operated by Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA), a council-controlled organisation of Auckland Council. It is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 860 animals and 138 species) and attracts over half a million visitors annually. It is becoming increasingly well-known nationally, and internationally through the award-winning television programme, The Zoo. At the heart of all Auckland Zoo's work and activities is its mission: "to bring people together to build a future for wildlife”. Auckland Zoo is a member of both the Zoo and Aquarium Association (Australasia) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

ENDS

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