LAA has been talking to landscape architects around the country as Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

They say the Institute should be very proud of how far it has come but warn there is some hard mahi ahead as critical issues face the landscape architecture profession.

One long-time member, Jan Woodhouse of Woodhouse Associates says the Institute has been incredibly important in her life and it is something she is very proud of. She urges landscape architects to get involved. “You have to join it. And you have to be part of it. And basically you need to give back,” she says.

New International Federation of Landscape Architects’ President, Dr Bruno Marques says he feels everyone should be incredibly proud to look back in terms of what has happened over the last 50 years. “I think we all should be determined that we have another 50 years of hard work ahead of us to really embrace what landscape architecture does for all of us and show every Kiwi the benefits of our our work.”

Others told us about what they would like to see for the future of the Institute. John Brenkley, a landscape architect with the Dunedin City Council says he is grateful for those who founded NZILA. “Now we've got a whole lot more members and we're doing great things around the country. And I think 50 years is just the start. I would like to think that we can do a whole lot more and make a much bigger impact on the world moving forward,” he says.

Climate change is clearly a concern for the entire profession and many believe the Institute will play a key role in that area. Debbie Tikao has a warning. “Brace yourself. The next 50 years are going to be really challenging. Gear up, you know, start understanding the impacts of climate change. Our world is going to look very, very different 50 years from now and we're at the forefront as landscape architects in changing and shaping what our future might look like. It's a really big task.”

But we will give the final word to one of the members heavily involved in the establishment of the Institute in 1972, Neil Aitken. “All I can do, as one of the founding members, is say that I'm very proud of what's happened and hold out the very best for you and all the very best for your endeavours.”

See more from these and other members in the video below.