Speaking to the four Landscape Architects announced this year as Fellows of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects’ it is clear the honour means a great deal to them.

Catherine Hamilton says she is “thrilled” to be named a fellow of the Institute. “It's a confirmation of my life's work. I left school and books and chose landscape architecture, or it chose me in 1979. It really feels like a recognition of the contribution that I've made to the Institute. I think it's just really confirming,” she says.

Catherine’s citation includes the following. “Over the last more than thirty years, Catherine’s exceptional skill in landscape architecture and recreational planning and that of her professional practice have been recognised by numerous IFLA, NZILA, NZRA and IPWEA Awards.

“Catherine is passionate about the power of landscape architecture to positively impact our landscapes and communities. Whether returning laughter to the devastated city through her design of Tākaro-ā-Poi / Margaret Mahy Family Playground in Ōtautahi / Christchurch or re-imagining a tourism future for Piopiotahi / Milford Sound, her work is motivated by her love of our landscape and its people.”

For Shannon Bray, the honour came as a bit of a surprise. “I've always looked up to the fellows as people who are supportive and selfless and encouraging. I've probably been a bit argumentative, a bit bolshie, so to be recognised as as one of those people is really humbling,” says Shannon.

His fellowship citation starts; “In a working life of some 28 years, with the past 18 years, Shannon has established himself as a leader within the profession of Landscape Architecture within Aotearoa New Zealand. This leadership is ascribed to his contribution to projects along with a significant contribution to the profession within Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects.

It goes on to talk about his service to the Institute which “has not just been limited to his many years on the Executive Committee including his role as President. Shannon became involved in the Institute immediately on his return to Aotearoa locally with the Hawkes Bay Manawatu Branch. He then became involved in the national body from 2013 to 2018 contributing to the Registration Panel and serving as President for the latter three years. Through this time, he was part of the team that drove the professionalising of the Institute’s service through the engagement of Vicki Clague and her team.

“Shannon’s passion for the profession, quality and service are attributes that are most worthy of recognition. His service to the profession through his work and through his voluntary roles for the Institute are given generously and selflessly. Shannon is a leader in our profession on many levels and it is our pleasure to welcome Shannon Bray as a Fellow of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects.”

Nicole Thompson says she feels like she is “standing on the shoulders of giants and one of those giants has to be Megan Wraight.”

And her work with Megan is highlighted in the citation for Fellowship.

“Nicole brings great humour and perspective to leading Wā, while always maintaining a professional rigour and exemplary standards of delivery. Her design, technical and detailed resolution of complex urban projects is outstanding. This has set the tone for the practice and its outputs and influenced the many graduates and other landscape architects that have worked and developed at Wā.

“Megan Wraight’s death in 2020 was keenly felt. As the charismatic founder of Wā, her role and presence will continue to be missed. Nicole was Megan’s constant collaborator, the quieter partner in this influential and creative duo, but no less important to the success of Wā’s projects. A shared commitment to design quality underpinned Megan and Nicole’s complementary skills and approaches, and Nicole continues that commitment with all her team.”

The citation goes on to say, “Nicole is an exemplary practitioner, leader, and collaborator. Nicole is an ambassador for landscape architecture in the way that she works, and for the built outcomes of this work. Her influence is evident across several world class projects that demonstrate her unique combination of design quality, technical rigour, and playful humour.”

John Brenkley says he is humbled by the fellowship and says he likes the fact that even by being nominated it is “acknowledging that you've made a contribution to the Institute and the profession.”

His citation starts; “Throughout his career in landscape architecture, John Brenkley has consistently taken the path less travelled. In so doing, he has provided a template for practice in the public domain outside of the main metropolitan centres of New Zealand that is as inspirational as it is influential.”

It goes on to outline his “significant contribution to Tuia Pito Ora itself which he joined immediately following his return to New Zealand in 1994. He is perhaps best recognized for his lengthy contribution to the Institute’s Registration Interview Panel of which he became a member in 2004, assuming the role of Panel Chair in 2006 and relinquishing the role finally in 2015 after 10 years of service. During this period the professional examination system of Tuia Pito Ora transitioned from Associateship to Registration, including the introduction of CPD as an ongoing requirement. John’s was an impressively long and dynamic tenure as Chair of the Registration panel.”

The new fellows also told LAA what the Institute means to them. Says Catherine Hamilton; “ The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects has always just been an incredible anchor for me. It's a body that has provided direction and support for my career as a landscape architect. It really represents the best of what we have to offer as landscape architects in Aotearoa New Zealand.

For John Brenkley, being a part of NZILA has been crucial. “All that hard work of becoming a landscape architect and being part of a much bigger body is really important.”

Shannon Bray says it’s a collection of of like minded people who are encouraging and supportive. “There's a collective knowledge and support network amongst us. That's that's really powerful.”

It’s about the people for Nicole Thompson. “But we also have a very definitive role in our communities, which is to lead the shaping of our urban spaces and environment in general. I think as an Institute of Landscape Architects as opposed to landscape architecture, I think there's something there that maybe we can have a think about in the coming years and decades.”