Why Landscape Must Remain Part of the Conversation

By Simon Button, NZILA Deputy Chair

Over recent weeks, Julia Wick, Ethan Reid and I have been meeting with Members of Parliament to discuss the importance of landscape, placemaking, and the potential unintended consequences of New Zealand's resource management reforms.

These conversations were never about changing political allegiances. With significant reform already under way, and some changes already implemented, our objective was to ensure that decision-makers understand the value of landscape architecture, the role landscape plays in shaping communities, and the implications of removing or reducing landscape considerations from future planning frameworks.

We met with representatives from Labour, the Green Party and The Opportunities Party (TOP), and were encouraged by the level of engagement, curiosity and understanding shown throughout. Conversations covered a broad range of topics, including housing affordability, urban growth, infrastructure integration, accessibility, quality urban environments, sense of place, community wellbeing, development quality, and how policy settings influence outcomes on the ground.

A recurring theme across all discussions was that good places do not happen by accident. They are the result of thoughtful planning, design and policy working together. Whether we are talking about new housing, infrastructure, public spaces, renewable energy projects or town centres, landscape provides a critical lens through which we can balance growth, liveability, identity, environmental outcomes and long-term community value.

It was particularly encouraging to discuss practical solutions and potential improvements to the reforms, and to hear genuine interest in continuing the conversation beyond the current legislative process. The relationships built through these meetings will be important as implementation progresses and as future opportunities arise to strengthen the planning system.

Advocacy is often a long game. Success is not always measured by immediate policy change, but by ensuring that the right conversations are being had and that landscape remains firmly on the agenda. By that measure, these meetings were a valuable and worthwhile step.

A huge thank you to Julia and Ethan for their time, passion and commitment throughout this process, and to the many NZILA members who have also been engaging with MPs across the country. Collective advocacy matters, and every conversation helps build understanding of the essential role landscape architects play in creating better outcomes for people, places and communities.