Tēnā koutou ki te whanau,

Nga mihi o te ra. 

I hope you all took the opportunity to take a break over Christmas and the New Year.  It’s my one chance to have a decent amount of uninterrupted time with my whanau during the year – so I spent plenty of time in the sun and out in our beautiful landscapes.  

Over the festive season we have all watched as Australia continues to burn.  The climate change and biodiversity disaster unfolding is unprecedented at this time of the annual Australian fire season, as over 18 million hectares of land has burned and the continent has lost nearly 3,000 homes, 34 human lives and up to one billion animals.  The effect of the fires is devastating and will continue to leave its’ mark on the Australian landscape.  I have been in touch with the leaders of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects over the break.   While they are safe and well, the fires are affecting them and their families every day. Our thoughts are with our Australian cousins as they continue to manage in very difficult conditions.     

I have been busy with a number of member-based enquiries over the break and so far in January. If you have been in touch and I haven’t got back to you yet, then don’t worry – I am working through my list.    

The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora are currently planning for our annual conference in May in Tauranga.  Watch out for details on the events, which will be coming out soon.  The Executive Committee have a meeting in Tāmaki Makaurau on 14 February.  I am looking forward to providing you all with an update on Executive business next month.
   
As always, if you have anything you want to share with me, then please drop me a line,  

Mā te wā,

Brad