As the last three Southern Branch NZILA Field Tours were hosted in Central Otago and Invercargill, it was sunny Ōtepoti-Dunedin’s turn to host a day of environmental design inspiration and community. The dynamic city between the hills and the sea was more than able to keep 20 landscape architects (the biggest group get together for the Southern Branch in a long time) busy for a full day of hopping between project sites, scenic vistas, and delectable culinary experiences.

At 11:00 AM sharp we hopped on the bus and headed to Fairfield to catch a view of the Green Island Landfill where we discussed engagement strategies which were used as part of consenting of the landfill closure and capping with Emma Taylor (Boffa Miskell). From there we toured around Kaikorai Estuary to visit the soon to be opened Tunnel Beach carpark with Shay Van Der Hurk (DOC) and John Brenkley (DCC), with carpark designed by Beca and trail visitor experience designed by Boffa Miskell.

With the sun fully out, we caught expansive views of the Otago Coast to the north and south of the site from a freshly sandblasted platform, etched with a map of significant areas to mana whenua. Next up we visited Caversham, where we caught builders busy at work on the under-construction design of Rough, Milne and Mitchell at the Te Kaika Well Being Hub. This site will feature a plant pallet that hosts meaningful plants to Rongoā Māori at this regionally significant accessible healthcare and social services resource.

Without losing momentum, the team stopped for lunch at St. Clair’s Tītī for delicious kai.

Refreshed from lunch we then travelled to Kettle Park to discuss South Dunedin Futures with climate change specialist Jonathan Rowe from the DCC, walking a short distance to the iconic Marlow Park to sit on the grass with the DCC Parks and Recreation team who are reshaping this play space for the next generation of tamariki and whanau.

Conversations that started on site were able to continue en route on the bus. Our sponsors and representatives also shared information and answer questions about their products (including Boundary Line, New Zealand Natural Fibres/ Advanced Landscapes and ViBlock) while catching views of Ōtepoti Dunedin, including the Otago Harbour. At McAndrew Bay, Mike Moore introduced us to the hand stacked basalt walls and elegant pathways making up the Harbour Cycle Way, while we provided a friendly gauntlet to passing cyclists.

We finally rounded out our day with a walk down the main drag with Kurt Cole from Jasmax, discussing the nearly finished George Street revitalization, including background about the symbolism and placemaking on site by utilizing local material and engagement with mana whenua and site history.

The day tied up over drinks and more delectable food, concluding with much excitement for the possibilities of the southern branches annual field tour next year!

“The field tour day hosted by the Dunedin twig of the Southern Branch had it all – beaches, landfills, playgrounds, cycleways, city streets and medical centres. The short stops at many sites approach worked really well. The bite-size insights into multiple projects added up to comprehensive overview of what is going on in the city. Fantastic food and chat topped it off. Big thanks to the organisers for a very memorable day!” Ben Espie – Vivian Espie