The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora is looking to the future as it announces the results of its inaugural board election. After 51 years, on 1 August 2023, the Institute will transition from an Executive Committee to a Board. As a pivotal moment in the Institute's history, New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora aims to unite and elevate the landscape architecture community throughout New Zealand.

The board members were elected by a vote of their peers, recognising their significant contributions to the field and their commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative practices. Their diverse expertise will enable the next phase of growth and development for the Institute.

The members of the NZILA Inaugural Board (alphabetically):

Matthew Jones

Matthew is a landscape architect based in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland. He has over 18 years’ experience, specialising as a design planner. He works with private and public sector clients in urban and rural landscapes across Aotearoa, New Zealand, and is currently an appointed member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel.

Matthew has been a member of Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects for many years, including time when he was a student. During this period, he held various roles with the Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland Branch of the institute including Committee Member, Deputy Chair, and most recently as Branch Chair. Matthew enjoys working with like-minded people to provide support for and contribute to the betterment of the profession in Aotearoa.

In addition to his planning and design work, Matthew has experience as an expert witness, regularly preparing landscape, visual, urban design and CPTED assessment documents. He has presented evidence in front of both Council Hearings and the Environment Court and has a solid knowledge of regional and national regulatory statutory and non-statutory documentation.

Dan Males

Dan is a current member of The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora executive committee and helps run a small landscape architecture practice in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

From a young age, living in a secluded valley between the Lake District fells and the Pennines in the north of England, the land and weather helped shape Dan’s view on the world. Now living in Te Awakairangi, he is honoured to work as a landscape architect.

As part of the Executive Committee, Dan was involved in the recent changes to Institute constitution and strong believes the new board structure will provide improved continuity and structure to governance.  Dan sees the role of The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora as a voice for landscape architects to express their passions and to discuss the future of the industry. He is committed to ensuring that the new NZILA management team and board continue to build on the significant achievements of the institute and its members, and to aid in the transition to the new Board.

Dr. Alayna Pakinui Rā

 Alayna is of Ngāi Tahu whakapapa and was born and raised on Ngāi Tahu whenua in Ōtepoti and Ōtautahi. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and ensuring Mana Whenua agency prevails in planning, design and construction processes. Alayna is a Registered Landscape Architect with Tuia Pito Ora (NZILA) and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA). She is also an active ‘Pae Matua’ member of Ngā Aho and key contributor to Te Tau a Nuku. Alayna has extensive experience working with Iwi Māori across Aotearoa and Indigenous communities internationally, with her work focusing on social justice and equitable city making.

 Alayna’s extensive executive leadership experience sees her contribute to a number of boards and expert advisory panels across the design and infrastructure sectors of Aotearoa.

John Potter

John is a fellow of Tuia Pito Ora, a former Registration Working Group Chair, and a practicing Partner at Boffa Miskell (Auckland). His work focuses on large-scale streetscape/public realm projects and residential developments. He held the role of a Director on the Boffa Miskell Board from 2016 to 2022, and strongly supports board diversity.

He is proud to have worked alongside inspirational landscape architects from his firm and other consultancies as integrated Design Team members on past and current transformational public realm projects.  He is heartened to see a maturing of the profession as it begins to appreciate the benefits of collaboration and co-operation over isolation and competition.

John is looking forward to contributing to a successful transition from Executive to Board organisational structure; assisting in establishing a strong foundation from which the Institute can flourish, and navigating the challenges and opportunities that landscape architects collectively face as a profession.

Debbie Tikao

Debbie is the director of Tipu Design and the manager of the Environmental Portfolio for Ōnuku Rūnanga. She is a panellist on the Christchurch City Council Urban Design Panel and was, for 8 years the General Manager of Matapopore. Currently, she is leading the process of developing an integrated mahinga kai management and climate change adaptation and mitigation plan for Akaroa Harbour and is working towards a master’s in urban design.

 Debbie is currently on the Ōnuku Rūnanga executive komiti, a position she has held for over 10 years, and representative on Te Paiherenga (ECan papatipu rūnanga advisory group).

 During her time as General Manager for Matapopore, she sat on reference and steering groups, providing guidance and governance on the delivery of significant projects.  Recently, she has been working with the NZCI and Tuia Pito Ora to change their organisational processes or structure to better recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensure their members are equipped to move forward with confidence to shape a more resilient and equitable future that represents our dual world views.

Julia Wick

Julia served on the NZILA Executive Committee from 2015 to 2021 and brings a deep knowledge of the NZILA membership, strong industry connections, and a broad awareness of the aspirations and needs of the industry.  During her tenure on the NZILA Executive Committee, Julia successfully managed key projects including student membership, scholarships, and awards review.  

In 2022, the celebration of NZILA's 50th anniversary highlighted to her the remarkable progress the Institute has made, and emphasised the immense potential for its future.  She believes the establishment of the new board presents an opportunity to harness this potential while maintaining a balanced and measured approach to accommodate ongoing changes.  As a board member, Julia’s goals will revolve around enhancing the resilience and sustainability of NZILA while ensuring continuous growth opportunities. She is committed to contributing to the institute's overall success and actively shaping its trajectory for the future.

Each board member will play a crucial role in shaping the vision and objectives of New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora, working collectively to advocate for the interests of landscape architects, foster professional development, and promote the value of landscape architecture to the rest of Aotearoa New Zealand.