Welcome all, to my first contribution to Insite.  It is with great privilege that I undertake the role of President for you, the members, over the next couple of years.  On behalf of the incoming Executive committee, I would also like to welcome in their energy and commitment of making themselves available for the challenging period ahead of us.

The past President, Renee Davies and the outgoing Executive committee have performed the admirable job of conducting the NZILA affairs in a precise and professional manner, addressing a range of new initiatives across the portfolio (and other matters) spectrum.  They have left the Institute in good heart. I extend to them our appreciation of their efforts.

Of course, the challenges of the organization to continue to be “relevant, supportive, and of benefit to all of us as landscape professionals”, in the words of Renee (Insite #22), remains as the focus for the current Executive committee.

Life moves on, as we now grapple with the heat and cool of climate change and economic realities.  A new age is emerging internationally and locally.  The raft of government and legislative reform are significant areas where we can make a valuable contribution in those critical processes.

While I have not taken on a specific portfolio role within Executive, overall support and input is the committed task I have set for myself.

Both internal governance and support for members and the external promotion of profile and advocacy in relation to the skills and experience of the profession are key continuing goals of influence of the Executive role.

Our first Executive meeting was held in Auckland on 22nd May, where we set about the task of familiarizing ourselves with each other, assigning portfolios and conducting the enormous amount of business confronting the organization. It was a surprisingly relaxed affair, the serious interposed with a wealth of humour. The business was done; this being judiciously overseen by the remnant knowledge of Grant Edge, Chris Bentley and as ever, Melanie Whittaker.

Then we are on to Wellington on the 24th July for our second Executive meeting, where we have also programmed time to meet and socialize with the local branch members.

The third meeting of 2009 will be held in Christchurch on the 18th November, timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of landscape architectural education at Lincoln University; and the opening of the new faculty facilities. Thank-you Neil Challenger for your invite and inclusion in that opportunity.

As I grow into the President role, and current Institute matters evolve, the Executive will continue to keep members abreast of the diverse range of information that will assist you in having your say on the future direction of the Institute.

The highlights of the NZILA year for me have been:

Thanks and congratulations to the organizing committee for an excellent and well constructed event. The field trip and workshop format provided a relaxed yet informative and interactive approach. This also provided plenty of time for informal contact and communication amongst the delegates. The conference was wrapped up with a great night at the Jacks Point Club; the venue provided at the courtesy of John Darby & Partners.  Thank you John for that gesture. Also, congratulations to Ralf Kruger on his well deserved advancement to Fellow of the Institute. The privilege of presenting Ralf with his Fellowship Certificate was a highlight of the evening for me.

AILA Conference – Melbourne, 7-9th May 2009.
Chris Bentley and I represented NZILA at the AILA National Conference 2009 – Shifting Perspective & Practice – an interdisciplinary future.  Both Chris and I found this to be an intensive and demanding event where the quite lengthy conference sessions explored new ways of responding to the effects of ecological, economic and social change on urban and landscape environments. The speakers showcased various examples of professional engagement in developing contemporary community perspectives in both real and imagined landscapes.

Chris and I also met with Mandy Rounsefell (Incoming National AILA President) and Paul Costigan (Executive Director – AILA) to discuss areas of mutual interest. These discussions focused on Education:Accreditation policy, Associateship and Membership Review and mutual conference sponsorship arrangements; together with the general forging of and building on existing relationships. We also found some time to explore the extensive recent and continuing redevelopment of the south Melbourne Docklands and to enjoy the more eclectic ‘eateries’ (on Rachael d’Lambert’s recommendation) that are on offer in the City and South Yarra precinct.

Environmental Defence Society Conference (EDS) – Reform in Paradise –Threat or opportunity?  Auckland 8-9th June 2009.
Sally Peake and I attended this conference where the. NZILA were also sponsors. Sally has provided comment on the conference as a separate article in this edition of Insite.

While on the subject of conferences, I also extend a vote of thanks and acknowledgement to Boyden Evans and the organizing committee in Wellington for their initiatives towards the Wellington 2010 “Landscape 10 : The Power of Landscape” Conference. Associated with this conference is the NZILA Resene Pride of Place Awards. This is an important opportunity to celebrate contemporary landscape work in NZ. So I encourage members to start preparing their awards submissions. We are looking forward to another record number of entries for 2010. Resource Management Act Submissions. NZILA made a submission to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee on the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2009. This submission was co-ordinated by Brad Coombs, with a number of

Bush City Te Papa (Boffa Miskell project)

other members making a significant contribution. Brad presented the submission to the committee, supported by a show of representation by Chris Bently, Sally Peake, Heidi Monks and myself. It was important for the Institute to be profiled as part of this process. Opportunity for further input into this legislation reform will be ongoing as the proposed Stage 2 Amendments emerge in due course.

Landscape Charter.
As an outcome of the AGM a Landscape Charter Review Group is being established. As the proposed Draft document is progressed, members will be updated and called upon for input. Brad Coombs, Mike Barthelmeh and Bruce McKenzie are leading the way on this initiative.

Associateship Process and Membership Review.
Julia Williams is currently progressing and refining this review. Julia is having meetings with branches this month (June) and throughout July, and will have a substantive report for the Institute at the end of July. Members are encouraged to attend these workshops and make a contribution to the future direction of the Institute. Membership status is a key career path opportunity.
Special thanks to Julia for her diligent research, involvement of members and documentation of the proposals and recommendations.

To continue this theme, I remind the Graduate members that Associateship applications close on 31st August, 2009. All the best and “good luck” to those of you who are considering applying. This is the next step towards further professional recognition and progress towards Registration.

Landscape Planning Initiative. This process is now approaching a milestone where we now have two completed draft documents to consider; ‘Best Practice Guideline For Visual Simulations’ and ‘Landscape Assessment and Sustainable Management : a Best Practice Guide’. The Landscape Planning Initiative has been undertaken by the NZILA Education Foundation and initiated by Frank Boffa in consultation with the Environment Court. The purpose of the initiative has emerged out of a need to establish principles of good practice and consistency to fundamental approaches to Resource Management Act (RMA) matters relative to the preparation and presentation of expert landscape evidence at Council Hearings and Environment Court fixtures. The NZILA Education Foundation hosted two workshops,held in Christchurch and Wellington in 2008. Over fifty practicing landscape planners and landscape architects attended these workshops.

Subsequent workshops were held in the branch districts. A substantial amount of energy and commitment by the membership practitioners has resulted in a wealth of excellent material being made available to complete these documents. This process, distilled into the two cohesive documents now presents a positive platform to offer a foundational guide to assist with best practice decision-making.  Frank Boffa and Simon Swaffield are to be congratulated for completing the primary editing task. The NZILA Education Foundation also acknowledges the assistance of Tony Croggan (Truescape Ltd) and Pen Moore (Boffa Miskell) in the preparation of the Visual Simulation Guide.

Frank Boffa will present the documents to Executive at the July meeting for NZILA endorsement prior to membership and Environment Court distribution.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support that Diane Menzies has given me in these early days of Presidency. In particular, the time taken out of her exhausting schedule as IFLA President and Environment Court Commissioner to explain the complex world of international landscape politics and procedures. I will be attending the World Congress with both Diane and Alan Titchener in Rio De Janeiro in October 2009; where I will also be presenting a keynote address to the 46th IFLA World Congress – Green Infrastructure:High Performance Landscapes

Regards
Dennis

Grant Edge
VICE-PRESIDENT; TREASURER; NZILA DOCUMENTATION RECORDS
grant@edgelandscapes.co.nz

Treasurer
Finances year to date are in good shape considering the current economic climate - we are steering the ship in a fiscally prudent manner. We hope all members are weathering the downturn satisfactorily and that better times will be upon us shortly. As voted in at the AGM our special projects are progressing well and we'll have updates for you as the year progresses.

NZILA Documentation Records
All NZILA archive records are now being held securely at Crown Security.  I'm currently working on an "archive list" to ensure a full set of NZILA journals are held.  If we indentify any "gaps" those of us who have been around a while might be able to supplement from our own library to create a complete set. We'll be in touch about this should it be necessary.

Grant Edge

Rory Langbridge
HONORARY SECRETARY; LIAISON WITH PROFESSIONAL BODIES; ENVIRONMENT & LEGISLATION (shared portfolio)
rlangbridge@internet.co.nz

Honorary Secretary:
It has been a gradual and enjoyable introduction to the workings of the executive with out first meeting in Auckland in May and the allocation of the individual portfolios.  I have had the pleasure of signing my first associate and registration certificates on behalf of the institute many branches would recently have had a meeting with Julia Williams to discuss and exchange views on her Associateship review process.  This is a very important process with long term implications for the institute and I encourage everyone, both members and non members to participate.

Communications with other professional bodies:
Early communication has been made with our other professional institutes introducing our new office holders and president.  Coordination with the other professional bodies in particular with regards CPD courses that are offered is something that I would particularly like to pursue and something that I can foresee benefiting those located in the smaller centres where traditionally CPD involvement has been problematical.

Environment portfolio:
I will be assisting Sally Peake with this portfolio and given the timing, with both the Landscape Charter and the proposed amendments to the RMA I anticipate that this will be a busy portfolio.  Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Brad Coombs for the immense effort and prodigious output that he managed when holding this portfolio, it will be a hard act to follow.  We welcome and thank those offers of ongoing support that have been so enthusiastically received.  I suspect there will be a need to use all of them and look forward to working with you all over the next 2 years.

Rory Langbridge

Sally Peake
ENVIRONMENT & LEGISLATION (shared portfolio); DOCUMENTATION PRACTICE SUPPORT; ASSOCIATESHIP
sally.peake@xtra.co.nz

Environment and Legislation:
I share this portfolio with Rory and I was pleased to represent the Institute at the recent EDS "Reform in Paradise: threat or opportunity?" Conference 8-9 June in Auckland. The conference provided a lively forum for debate on the government’s resource management reforms, including amendments to the RMA, the introduction of an Environmental Protection Authority, and management improvements for resources such as water and the coast. here for complete conference review

Representatives of the Executive also presented the NZILA Submission to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee on the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2009 on 29 April. Thanks to Brad for driving up from Tauranga to lead the presentation. We and the Executive have a key role and opportunity to raise the profile of the Institute and we will be seeking ways to input into decision-making through submissions and liaison with other professional organisations.

Documentation Practice Support & Associateship

During my term of office I want to build on the excellent work of my predecessors in the areas of practice support documentation and associateship. A draft set of the first documents have been prepared and being considered by the Review team who will provide recommendations as to the terms of use of the documents.

As mentioned by Dennis & Hannah, Julia Williams who undertook the research and prepared a report on associateship options and recommendations is currently touring the branches and presenting the findings of her first report. At the end of the year it is intended that a referendum will have been sent out to all members and  a process established for implementation of the membership review and associated processes.

Sally Peake

Chris Bentley
ACCREDITATION; EDUCATION; URBAN DESIGN; CIC
chris.bentley@boffamiskell.co.nz

I'm currently in China but back shortly, before my departure I was part of the presentation team for the submission to select committee on RMA Amendment Bill and wrote an article for the Urban Design Forum on Landscape Architects View of the super city proposals. Along with Dennis I attended an AILA, NZILA exec meeting in Melbourne and AILA conference (crossing into my Accreditation and Education portfolios) discussing changes and providing AILA with comments on their new proposed accreditation policy.

Chris Bentley

Hannah Lewthwaite
COMMUNICATIONS; GRADUATE AFFAIRS; STUDENT AFFAIRS
hannah.lewthwaite@ccc.govt.nz

Communication The NZILA promotional CD is complete and distribution to Branches and the wider community will begin shortly. Thanks particularly to Mike Farrow for his excellent work on this project. We have also updated the generic version of our magazine advertisement, which you will have seen in the Landscape Architecture Magazine. Student and Graduate Affairs This academic year has started with presentations to all three educational institutions about NZILA and the value of student membership. It is also exciting to hear of Branch events around the Country where student members are encouraged to take part.

The Student Information Booklet is nearly complete and again thanks to Mike for his work in developing this resource which I am sure will be a valuable source of information for our student members.

An important part of the Executive Teams’ focus for Graduate Affairs continues to be the discussion around the Associateship Review. As Dennis and Sally have mentioned, Julia Williams is consulting with all members around the Country with the second round of consultation currently underway. The Executive Committee is committed to a clear and open consultation process on this important issue and it is vital that all members participate in the workshops with Julia and take part in the referendum later in the year.

Hannah Lewthwaite

Robin Rawson
CPD; BRANCH/MEMBERSHIP LIAISON
robin@baxterdesigngroup.co.nz

Branch liaison
Most of the NZILA contact that members have is through their local Branch.  If you are involved with your Branch, you’ll know it’s a great way to meet other Landscape Architects, be involved in events in your local area and perhaps set up other networking groups such as peer groups or coffee groups.

So if you are not getting what you are after from your local Branch, I encourage you to get involved and see if you can make it happen.

In that spirit, the Auckland Branch is setting up a Young Landscape Architects group; looking to engage with both members and those who are not currently members. 

CPD
As part of the membership review, membership categories and yearly registration requirements are being considered.  To make changes that are relevant to members, your feedback is needed later this year. 

Meanwhile, we encourage Branches to announce the CPD points for branch events as part of their advertising – please confirm this with me or Melanie before the event. 

Any queries or concerns?  Please give me a call or email.

Robin Rawson

Heidi Monks
CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP LIAISON; AWARDS
landspirit@xtra.co.nz

Hello everyone.
Time has not stood still since we had our first Exec meeting in May. We have already celebrated the winter solstice and I expect a number of you greeted the lengthening of the days gladly.

The Wellington Branch has made huge progress in the organisation for the Landscape10: The Power of Landscape  Conference to be held at Te Papa 15-17 April next year (see separate report)  and I really appreciate the work they are doing for us all.

Also planning is underway for the NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Awards 2010, which will be held in conjunction with the conference. Resene and Lincoln University (for the Student Award category) have both kindly confirmed their ongoing sponsorship for the Awards, which is fantastic for us and we are extremely grateful to both for their ongoing support.

We are working on the Call for Entries for the Awards, and will get this to you as soon as possible. Please take this as advance notice to start thinking about your entries, which will be asked for in A3 format as previously.

I am hoping to compile a data base of Registered landscape architects who might like to assist at some stage with judging the Awards so if you are interested can you please let me know?

So make the most of the winter wherever you are and remember it will soon be spring!

Heidi Monks

The 2010 NZILA conference will be held at Te Papa in Wellington 15-17 April 

The working title for the conference is:

  Landscape10 : The Power of Landscape

The conference theme will encourage speakers and delegates to explore the inherent tension between the extraordinary power that landscape exerts on us and our increasing ability to change and to reshape it at every scale.

PALMCO 'strive to survive' - Landscaping New Zealand conference 10-12 July Taupo

ECO Annual Conference 'Greening our way out of a recession' 10-12 July Auckland

Our Role as Placemakers | A workshop focused on how the professions can work together to deliver quality of life and quality of place. 21 July Christchurch , 24 July Auckland

Splash New Zealand Pool and Trade Show 29-30 July, Auckland

Heritage Incentives National Workshop 10 August 2009 , Auckland

Environmental Law Update 17 August 2009, Wellington

Planning Law Update 18 August 2009 Wellington

New Zealand Landscape and Garden Design Conference 4-6 September, Auckland

Urban Ecology workshop - Lincoln University 18-19 November 2009

Landscape Research Symposium - Lincoln University 20 November 2009

National Wetlands Symposium 3-5 March 2010, Rotorua

NZILA  Landscape10 : The Power of Landscape Conference 15-17 April 2010, Wellington

International Planning Conference (NZPI & PIA) 21-23 April 2010, Christchurch

2nd International Urban Design Conference Survival: Implementing Tomorrow’s City... 2-4 September 2009 Gold Coast, Australia

ECLAS 2009 Conference Landscape & Ruins. Planning and design for the regeneration of derelict places. 23-27 September 2009 Genoa, Italy

IFLA APR (Asia Pacific Region) Congress 1-4 September 2009, Incheon Korea

46th IFLA World Congress Green Infrastructure: High Performance Landscapes 21-23 October 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Associateship Process and Membership Review Branch Workshops Dates
CANTERBURY/WESTLAND - 2 July 4pm
HAWKES BAY/MANAWATU - 9 July 4.30 - 5pm ish
AUCKLAND - 14 July 2009
WELLINGTON - 16 July

ScALA Seminar Series - hosted by Unitec Green Infrastructure Strategies presented by Dennis Scott 23 July 2009, 12.30-1.30pm (Room 2075, Building 1,Unitec)

CanWest's AGM – 4 August

Lincoln University's – 40th Anniversary Celebrations 18-22 November 2009 more

NZILA Executive Meetings 2009-2011
24 July Wellington
18 November Christchurch

Gondwana Circle Design Competition (sponsored by San Francisco Botanical Garden Society)
deadline for registrations: 31 August

River City of Banjarmasin - Urban Eco Planning concept & ideas deadline Sept 2009

Landscape @ Lincoln – 40th Anniversary Celebrations

This year the School of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University (as it recently became) is celebrating – not only has it turned 40 this year, but by the time you read this it will have moved into its new purpose built building. Its time for a party.

In 1969 Lincoln University (then Lincoln College) started New Zealand’s first professional qualification in Landscape Architecture; it was housed in a prefab and had an intake of five students! This was the beginning of Landscape Architecture in New Zealand. Things have moved a long way since these humble beginnings forty years ago. Nearly seven hundred students have now graduated in Landscape Architecture from Lincoln; and this year over 140 students are studying here towards Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in Landscape Architecture. From its initial two lecturers (Charlie Challenger and Frank Boffa) the School has grown to have nine academic staff; it is highly regarded for its research, publishes its own referred journal (Landscape Review) and combined with planning has received the top research ranking among New Zealand’s design programmes. Finally, having moved out of the prefab and into the Hilgendorf in the mid 1970s, and then into the Forbes building in 1989, the School of Landscape Architecture will start next semester in its new purpose build building, ironically this is next door to where it started in the prefab, although this is now long gone.

Reaching 40 (a Ruby Anniversary) has allowed these things to happen and we will be celebrating this milestone from the 18th to the 22nd of November. For those of you needing a business-centric excuse to come there will be an Urban Ecology workshop on the 18th and 19th and a Landscape Research Symposium on the 20th. Alternatively you can skip these and move straight into party mode from late afternoon on Friday the 20th. Over the remainder of the day through to mid-afternoon on the Sunday there will be the grand opening of the new building, an art auction, campus tours, displays of work through the ages, a splendid dance, wine tasting and class-photos and more besides – in short a 40th anniversary birthday. In the next two or three weeks we will send you a fuller programme and registration forms etc. In the interim, and in my capacity of Head of the School of Landscape Architecture, I am delighted to invite you to join us in celebrating a milestone that is important not only for Lincoln but also for the profession and the NZILA. We hope to see you there.

programme summary:

 - afternoon of Wed 18th and Thursday 19th - urban ecology workshop
- Friday 20th - Landscape Research Symposium
- Friday 20th the official opening and art auction
- Saturday 21st - dance held in the new building.
- Sunday 22nd by way of wind down there will be a garden tour and wine tasting lunch.

Neil Challenger
Head of the School of Landscape Architecture
Lincoln University

This space is for Lincoln University and NZILA Lincoln Student news. Please email the editor with any submissions for this space

Unitec New Zealand - Auckland

ScALA Seminar Series Term 3 programme

We have a great line-up for the coming term - something for everyone!  The seminars are as follows.  Full details of all bar the last seminar by Min Hall are loaded on our website http://www.unitec.ac.nz/?9C4580B3-D572-4C64-8BF8-2C5894DFF28C

Please note the start time for all talks has changed back to 12.30pm.  This is to accommodate staff/students who have 1.30pm lectures to go onto.

All seminars are free and open to the public.  
NZILA CPD 0.5 points (category 3d (public lecture)).  Seminars are 1 hour in duration and we welcome students, academics, practitioners and other interested members of the community.  Seminars are held in room 2075 (Lecture theatre 1) of Building 1, Entry 1, Unitec, Carrington Rd,  Mt Albert.  We look forward to welcoming you to these lunchtime seminars.

Thursday 23rd July: Dennis Scott - 'Green infrastructure strategies'

Thursday 6th August: Terry St George - 'Marine Events Centre: Juggling concept with 'concrete' reality'

Thursday 13th August: Trish Bartleet & Sue Wake - 'Walk the track!: Milford, Heaphy & Queen Charlotte'

Thursday 27th August: Min Hall - title to be confirmed - architecture/environmental

This space is for Unitec and NZILA Unitec Student news. Please email the editor with any submissions for this space.

Victoria University of Wellington - Wellington

Auckland branch have held a couple of committee meetings recently, more news coming out to members soon.

Associateship Process and Membership Review Branch Workshop with Julia - 14 July

Chairperson - Peter Whiting
Secretary - Sandy Ling

Associateship Process and Membership Review Branch Workshop with Julia - 9 July

Chairperson - Debra Stewart
Secretary - Megan Royal

The petanque evening is one of our annual events and was held at Waitangi Park on a sunny March (4th) evening.  We had a great turn out with a mix of practitioners and students enjoying drinks and nibbles followed by a fierce boule session! Alayna Renata (MWH Ltd) and Lisa Rimmer (Isthmus) took the title from last years defending champions Sarah Bishop (Isthmus) and Steve Dunn (Boffa Miskell).

The Urban Design Case Law seminar was a presentation of the work carried out by Marc Bailey (Boffa Miskell) and Morgan Slyfield (Morrison Kent – Lawyers) on behalf of MfE. The seminar was held at Vic Uni Design School on the 28th May and was preceded by drinks and nibbles to allow a mix and mingle period for the members of the three institutes. We had a great turn out and the event went really well, we are looking to hold at least one joint event per year from now on.

Associateship Process and Membership Review Branch Workshop with Julia - 16 July

Chairperson - Michael Hawes
Secretary - Wade Robertson

We hosted the Associate Process and Membership Review workshop with Julia on 8 June - thanks everyone for coming. Nothing else specific to report this issue.

Chairperson - Heidi Stewart
Secretary - Tom Carter

Associateship Process and Membership Review Branch Workshop with Julia - 2 July

In April the NZILA/Robin Gay Award for Outstanding Student and the Boffa Miskell Award for Excellence in Major Design was presented to graduating student Christopher Owen at an afternoon tea hosted by Lincoln for graduating students, their families and staff. Congratulations Christopher.

The branch’s first CPD event was held on 1 May at the Provincial Chambers when Landscape Architect Nancy Vance gave an illustrated presentation on her recent travels around New Zealand’s Sub Antarctic Islands. Attendees then moved to a local bar for social drinks, with students receiving their first drink free with the compliments of the NZILA Can/West Branch Committee.

Other events include Associateship Workshop held on 26 May to discuss the current associateship process and to give updates on the Associateship and Membership Review that is underway. CPD event – Postgraduate studies in Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning available at Lincoln University. Mike Barthlemeh to present. Held 18 June. Associateship Review – Stage 2 of the consultation process. Workshop to be run by Julia Williams. Thursday 2 July 4pm at the CCC Civic offices, Tuam Street. Drinks to follow. CPD event – Christchurch City Council tree planting specifications. Workshop/forum to include CCC staff, local Landscape Architects, Landscape New Zealand members and local nurserymen. Details to follow.

• AGM – August 4th at the Timber Room, Provincial Chambers. 6pm start for food and drinks, and AGM. To be followed at 7pm by Chris Glasson speaking about work undertaken in China.

• Combined end of year celebrations – NZILA and Lincoln University to celebrate opening of new building and 40 years of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University. 21 November 2009. More details to follow.

Chairperson - Jennifer Dray
Secretary - Hannah Lewthwaite

We're still recovering from the Queenstown workshop! more news next issue.

Chairperson - Ben Espie
Vice-Chairperson & Dunedin Liaison
Stephanie Branch
Secretary - Helen Mellsop

Nothing specific to report this issue

The HCLG has a dedicated page on the NZILA website: www.nzila.co.nz/hclg or from the main Links button.

Anne Steven
HCLG