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LATEST NEWS
Young Landscaper and Legacy Awards are back
In September 2026, Christchurch will host the next Young Landscaper of the Year competition and Legacy Awards Designed for landscapers aged 30 and under, Young Landscaper of the Year (YLOY) is a national event that continues to elevate the next generation of industry leaders. The competition is a rigorous test of practical ability, technical knowledge and professional capability. Finalists complete a series of challenges reflecting the breadth of modern landscaping – from con
Shaping landscapes and our industry
From a finance graduate to Young Landscaper of the Year, Jarod Anderson has built Christchurch-based Anderson Landscapes on craftsmanship, communication and understated confidence – determined to position high-end landscaping at the centre of residential construction planning Jarod Anderson didn’t follow the typical pathway into landscaping. After finishing high school, he enrolled at Otago University and completed a BCom in finance. It didn’t take long to realise the corpora
What is the biggest challenge of running a small business
This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who are currently working in the industry CONSIDERATE DESIGN Interviewee: Sam Moore - Owner Location: Nationwide Staff: 1 I’ve been self-employed for seven years and running a design and consultancy business, called Considerate Design, for the past three. Before that I was doing garden maintenance. Running a design and consultancy is a completel
LATEST NEWS
Landscaping licence debate
Landscape professionals in Australia’s capital are pushing back against a proposed licensing framework – a discussion that may sound familiar to New Zealand contractors navigating our own regulatory environment. The Landscape Association (TLA) in Australia is leading a renewed campaign to have structural landscaping formally recognised within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government’s trade licensing review, arguing that excluding the sector risks creating unnecessar
Greener walls for a more resilient landscape
As sustainability becomes a defining priority in landscape design, infrastructure and land development, retaining wall systems are being asked to do more than simply hold ground. They must reduce environmental impact, support living systems, blend into sensitive sites and still deliver engineered performance. Flex MSE® meets that brief by combining the strength of mechanically stabilised earth with the visual and ecological benefits of vegetation. Flex MSE is a patented veget
Featured products
Mitre 10 offers every product landscapers might need – from paving and decking to plants and everything in between. Check out our top product picks below! PLAZROK PAVERS Plazrok Pavers is an innovative alternative to traditional paving materials. Manufactured using Plazrok Aggregate, the product incorporates 88% post-consumer plastic waste, reimagined through a proprietary composite process to create a strong yet lightweight paving solution. This shift toward engineered aggre
Reclaimed rewards
Sustainability in landscaping includes choosing materials with lower environmental impact and longer-lasting form and function. Creating materials that last has always been a driving force for Interlink. Founded in 2009 by Matthew Kennedy, Interlink was created to provide customers with access to natural, durable landscape materials that were often hard to find through normal supply channels. From its base in Wanaka, Interlink has grown into a nationwide supplier of reclaimed
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 fi
Surfaces built for resilience
Sustainability in landscaping is evolving to ensure outdoor spaces can better withstand environmental pressures – and permeable concrete provides a key solution. Recent flooding events across New Zealand have highlighted the growing strain on stormwater systems and the impact of impermeable urban environments. As rainfall events become more intense and less predictable, landscapers, designers and councils are being forced to rethink the surfaces being specified in outdoor spa
Carbon in the garden: Trees that work harder
Balancing visual and environmental performance is no easy feat – but Blue Mountain Nurseries has some tips! Trees have always done the heavy lifting in any landscape. They provide structure, shelter and a sense of permanence that smaller plants can’t match. Increasingly, they’re also being considered for what they contribute environmentally as well as visually. For landscapers, that doesn’t mean changing direction. It’s about being deliberate with the trees we’re already usin
What to expect from landscaper of the year
Entries are now open for Young Landscaper of the Year, offering a career-defining opportunity for rising talent. Hosted alongside the Landscape Legacy Awards, which honour those who have helped shape the profession, the benefits of taking part extend well beyond the day itself. Thinking of entering yourself or one of your team? Below we highlight what contestants can expect. Designed to challenge and develop emerging professionals, Young Landscaper of the Year (YLOY) has evol
Plastic waste study offers lessons for sustainable site practice
BRANZ-funded research shows that up to 80% of plastic waste can be diverted from landfill – offering practical insights for landscapers aiming to improve onsite sustainability through better planning and material management. The research examined 7.2T of plastic waste collected from six separate construction sites in Auckland, which was separated and categorised into 46 groups. In total, 4.5T was kept out of landfill. The best-performing site diverted about 80% of its plastic
What does a resilient and sustainable landscape look like in New Zealand?
This is a column by landscapers, for landscapers. In it, you’ll find knowledge, views and insights from professionals just like you, who are currently working in the industry. ZONES LANDSCAPES Interviewee: Lee Irvine – Director Location: Auckland Staff: 1 I think resilient landscaping in New Zealand is about designing in alignment with the location. That means understanding the land, creating ecosystems that naturally suit the environment and choosing construction methods tha
How proportional liability will affect landscapers
The move to proportional liability won’t just affect builders, and it’s important that landscapers are aware of how their obligations might shift. In this article, construction risk expert Ben Rickard lays it all on the line. The government has announced that it intends to move the construction sector from “joint and several liability” to proportionate liability. Their stated purpose is to reduce the risk averse behaviour of councils, who under the current regime are often th
Stormwater control
Figure 1: Change in surface water runoff due to site development Careful planning of stormwater management can reduce the pressure on council stormwater systems, reduce flooding risks, protect the environment from contamination and cut water use in a household. This article by BRANZ explains how. Stormwater must be managed to minimise the risk of flooding. But allowing all stormwater from a property to run into drains not only wastes a potential source of garden water; it als
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The editorial team at NZ Landscaper knows what your hot-button issues are and provide answers to some of your most burning questions. So scroll through the site to find out more!
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