Well, I trust you enjoyed the conference! A terrific event that was not only well attended, but seemed to be very well appreciated. A big thank you again to the conference organising committee, and to Wellington for bringing out the sunshine on the last day!

And, congratulations to all the award winners. I’ve heard nothing but good feedback about the refreshed awards, which is terrific. Well done to the awards team for making this happen in such a short timeframe! And if you haven’t bought the book, check it out click here … 

Also, if you haven’t caught up with the news from the AGM, I’m very pleased to announce our new name: New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora. Over the coming months we’ll be updating our branding, and the website, to reflect this exciting and important name change. During the conference we also ratified, and practiced, our new waiata – this is ours to use at all appropriate events. You’ll find the words and a link to a YouTube clip on the NZILA website here.

We’re excited to announce that next year the conference will be held in Nelson. In a few weeks the new Exec Committee will meet with the Nelson branch to work out the details, as well as begin to sort out our respective roles for the upcoming Exec term. I’ll be in a position to update you on all of this soon.

Finally, some of you may be wondering where we’ve got to with the Landscape Assessment Methodology Code of Practice project. This is still live, but following the withdrawl of the Ministry for the Environment, we are regrouping and reassessing how we might be able to move it forward. I will be in touch again when more details are worked through.

Happy Autumn everyone, although let’s hope for less cyclones and more Indian Summers. As always, if there’s anything you want to talk to me about, please don’t hesitate to flick me an email, president@nzila.co.nz.

Nga mihi
Shannon