NZ “Pride of Place” Landscape Awards

Gardens, shopping malls and major public parks in NZ “Pride of Place” Landscape Awards

Public parks, private gardens, town centres and shopping malls from Auckland to Dunedin are included in this year’s New Zealand landscape awards.

A record number of entries are in line for the New Zealand Pride of Place Landscape Awards to be held in Christchurch on April 5, with the highlight being the presentation of 7 prestigious supreme awards

These awards represent projects from the two major landscape professions in NZ: NZILA (NZ institute of landscape architects) and LIANZ (landscape industries association of NZ).

The awards promote excellence in the landscape industry and are held every two years.

The LIANZ section entries include tropical gardens, revegetated quarries, shopping malls and landscapes of Central Otago.

Highlight of the night for LIANZ will be the award for the Pinex Landscape of the Year, award convenors Wayne Butson and Nigel Comber said today.

LIANZ judges are Michael Jones, Jack Hobbs who is the plant man on Maggie’s Garden Show, and sculptor Virginia King.

Taranaki Wharf and Oriental Parade in Wellington, Hastings, Mt Maunganui Beach, Waitara and Waihi feature in the NZILA section of the awards

The Hastings CBD, Waitara and Waihi township entries are for major town redevelopments.

Previous winners include such key public landscapes as the Arrowtown town centre development, Quay Park, on Auckland's waterfront, indigenous ecosystems handbooks for Christchurch, Papakura gateway reserve, the Wellington Botanic Gardens duck pond, Onehunga’s town centre, the Haast Visitors Centre, and the New Plymouth foreshore walkway and development.

New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) president Di Lucas said New Zealand was changing rapidly in cities, towns and in the countryside. ``These awards are an important opportunity for clients and the public to see what is current best practice in this profession.’’ The planning gold award two years ago went to Christine Heremaia of the Christchurch City Council for the city’s waterways and wetlands education strategy. The 2002 design gold award went to the Isthmus Group Ltd for the New Plymouth foreshore development in Taranaki. Entertainer Mark Hadlow will run the awards gala dinner and award presentations next month. Ends

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