There are three supreme awards;

Charlie Challenger Award
for landscape planning

George Malcom Award
for design

Te Karanga o te Tui
for outstanding achievement in demonstration of the Te Aranga principles

Description:
Recognises the most outstanding achievement in landscape design. A winner will only be selected from the winners of the relevant award categories and awarded if the entry attains this standard of excellence.

Description:
Recognises the most outstanding achievement in landscape planning. A winner will only be selected from the winners of the relevant award categories and awarded if the entry attains this standard of excellence.

Description:
Recognition of the most outstanding achievement in demonstration of the Te Aranga principles. The award recipient can be selected from any award category. To be considered they must have achieved excellence or category winner status.

These categories represent the depth and breadth of landscape architecture practice in New Zealand.

What this category covers

Public parks, gardens, open space, recreation and sport facilities

Strategic projects relating to recreation, amenity, cultural and heritage landscapes, tourism and the non-urban environment

What this category covers

Public and private play facilities or spaces of any type, scale and context

What this category covers

Projects in public, institutional or private realms

Streetscapes, urban and pocket parks, plazas, courtyards, waterfronts, mixed use developments, neighbourhoods and urban renewal

May include stormwater management, civic art or infrastructure

Description:

Single and multi-unit developments

Private gardens and special purpose gardens

Interior, roof and vertical gardens

What this category covers

Institutional, commercial, and industrial landscapes

Resource-based, stormwater, and infrastructure-related landscapes

Large-scale restoration, reclamation, or mitigation projects

What this category covers

Transport infrastructure projects at any scale

Walking, cycling, micromobility and public transport environments

Projects integrating environmental, civic or urban design outcome

Research-informed or specialised design approaches

Transport infrastructure projects at any scale

Walking, cycling, micromobility and public transport environments

Projects integrating environmental, civic or urban design outcomes

What this category covers

Healthcare, aged care, and therapeutic landscapes

Education environments and learning landscapes

Projects where design supports wellbeing outcomes

Research-informed or specialised design approaches

What this category covers

Landscape and natural character assessments

Policy development and environmental planning

Resource management and regulatory work

What this category covers

Structure plans, spatial strategies, and design frameworks

Regional, district, and site-based strategic planning

Design guidelines and long-term planning tools

Projects should be led, or jointly led, by a landscape architect and may involve other disciplines in the role(s) of co or sub-consultants.

What this category covers

Landscape and visual assessments

Natural character and effects assessments

Terrestrial and marine environments

What this category covers

Management plans for landscapes and habitats

Restoration, conservation, and enhancement strategies

Long-term stewardship of landscapes

Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu 
Although small, it is of great value

What this category covers

Small-scale or targeted landscape interventions

Temporary, experimental, or opportunistic projects

Community-led, tactical, or low-budget initiatives

Standalone components within a larger project

Innovative design responses, including furniture, installations, or tools

Visionary or speculative ideas that challenge current practice

Entries must represent a clearly defined and stand-alone scope of work. Where part of a larger project, entrants must explain how the work functions independently and acknowledge the wider project team.

Entrants may be asked to indicate a budget range to support fair assessment of value.

What this category covers

Research, publications, and academic work

Communication, interpretation, and public engagement

Exhibitions, digital platforms, and awareness campaigns

ns. 

What this category covers

Work produced as part of an NZILA-accredited landscape architecture programme

Design, planning, research, or management-based projects

Individual or collaborative student work

Nominations are invited for an enduring piece of designed and managed landscape that continues to contribute to the wellbeing of people and place, and demonstrates foresight, care, and long-term value.

The landscape should be at least 20 years old, remain in active use, and clearly demonstrate how design intent, material choices, and ongoing management have supported its longevity.

This category recognises the landscape itself as the award recipient.

It acknowledges that enduring landscapes are shaped over time by many hands.

A nominated landscape architect, practice, or team may be recognised for their contribution to the project’s long-term success. Where multiple parties have been involved across the life of the project, their contributions should be acknowledged.

Nominations must be made by a peer (outside the original project team).

This is an opportunity to recognise landscapes that continue to shape our communities and inspire the profession over time.