LAA: What unique skills and expertise do you bring to the job, given your experience in both private practice and on the client side?

PM: I have been fortunate to have worked with motivated clients, employers and experienced professionals over the years whom have recognised my expertise for delivering well-designed landscapes. Also, having a good level of expertise and experience on how design works and benefits overall project outcomes has helped.  The diverse and talented professionals I have worked with have pushed me beyond my comfort zone which continues to grow my professional level of expertise.  These experiences have refined my design leadership and management skills, negotiation and problem-solving design abilities. When working either in the private or public sector often change is inevitable and creates opportunities by using design to improve the places we live our lives in, it’s not really an expertise or skill but another positive approach to continue and advance better landscape architecture.

Having worked on both sides of the fence has given me a unique perspective on what we’re asking designers to do and what can realistically be done. We are only going to get one chance to make Christchurch a place people truly want to be. My skill set means I can cut through the white noise and keep people focused on delivering world-class spaces and places for the city.

LAA: How is having worked on both sides of projects advantageous in terms of consultation, coordination, design review, management and battling through bureaucracy and politics?

PM: People are at the centre of all projects and therefore being able to listen and inspire all involved to be open minded can create unexpected possibilities.  Along the way being able to deliver design outcomes that can exceed original expectations often builds trust and on-going momentum.  Some projects are perceived as being complex and overly political, when really the desired outcomes can often be simplified universally by providing the platform for people to be heard and to listen to each other – this creates a strong design platform that landscape architects can promote the core design values of our profession.  This is where landscape architects can provide a simplification or translation to lead and weave good design into our surrounding urban fabric and natural environments. 

LAA: What are the specific challenges in terms of landscape that Ōtākaro faces?

PM: We’re asking people to embrace some pretty significant changes in their city in a relatively short space of time. Change was thrust upon this city, it wasn’t a choice, so it’s important we bring people on the journey with us, so they can fully appreciate how these projects will improve the quality of life here. We also have to create an urban framework which is flexible enough to accommodate and compliment the evolving and on-going requirements of greater city regeneration. 

LAA: Being responsible for rebuilding a city - even if it's a shared responsibility - is a pretty huge thing. How do you see it?

PM: It’s a shared responsibility.  Any success of my role reflects directly on the people, other design professionals and experts I have been fortunate to work and collaborate with.   The continued efforts of all will ensure the recovery momentum is continued and successful regeneration of the New Zealand’s third largest city is achieved.   Landscape Architects are definitely front and centre reshaping a city for people both visit, linger and rebuild their lives around.