Kia ora.

The future isn’t what it used to be.

It’s hard not to be anxious about tomorrow while there are multiple wars going on, increasingly severe ‘natural’ disasters, rapidly accelerating artificial intelligence, rising unemployment, increasing costs, an upcoming general election and NZ planning reforms that have been inspired by Texas. All this uncertainty affects us physically, financially and emotionally.

Worrying about everything can become too much at times. Optimism is my strategy (plus a fair bit of denial). Control what you can control.

Designers and planners are optimists. We have to be. Our work represents an investment in long-term outcomes. We genuinely believe that things can, and will, be better in the future. We believe in community, we trust in human nature. We know the value of family, friends, community, culture and landscape. 

The threat that things could change for the worse is galvanising. We fight for the future we want and protect the things that we value.

My roles at Tonkin + Taylor and Tuia Pito Ora allow me to be part of this ongoing mahi. I’ve been lucky enough to get around the country a bit over the last three months and work with some great people.

I was in Ōtautahi Christchurch for project work, and took the opportunity to catch up with Trina and Nada and hear how planning for the Firth NZILA Wānanga and Resene NZILA Awards is progressing. I spent a full day in Whakatū Nelson working with Angela on Tuia Pito Ora structure and strategy. Alongside Liz Gavin from Boffa Miskell and Leona de Ridder, we also met with local MP Rachel Boyack to discuss our concerns about the RMA reforms.

I was in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for a full-day Board hui, in a space generously provided by NZIA at their stylish offices on Ponsonby Road. Among a full agenda was the endorsement of the Membership Honours Panel’s recommendations. This year we will be welcoming three new Tūranga Rangatira Fellows and no fewer than five new Tūranga Pūmau Life Members. This represents a significant coming-of-age moment for the profession.

On the afternoon before the Firth NZILA Wānanga, on 4 November, we will host Pō Whakamānawa, formerly known as the President’s Cocktail Function. This invite-only event is a chance to celebrate our people and acknowledge Tuia Pito Ora’s amazing volunteers: the members who do the mahi on working groups and panels, mentor people through the registration programme, support our branches, serve on the Board and contribute in many other ways. We will also celebrate the achievements and outstanding contributions of our new Fellows and Life Members.

The following night we celebrate the projects. The Resene NZILA Awards will acknowledge the best landscape architecture from the past two years, with projects recognised across 15 categories and work represented from across the motu. Thank you to the judging panel, led by Head Judge Sam Bourne, and to Trina and Angela for planning and delivering such a thorough and rigorous process.

Then, of course, there is Ka Rū Ka Hā / Awaken the Energy. The Wānanga programme this year has been curated in response to member feedback. It will be optimistic and forward-looking, collaborative and community-driven, big and bold. We are leaning further into what it means to wānanga, with different types of sessions creating opportunities to share stories, learn from each other, challenge ideas and debate where our profession goes next.

Alongside the energy of an exciting and largely homegrown speaker programme, with a great line-up of members, collaborators and people from beyond the profession, we welcome Australian keynote speaker Alison Page. 

There will be workshops, conversations, five field trips taking us out into Ōtautahi, trade exhibits and, importantly, plenty of time to connect. It is two days for our industry to come together to share, learn, challenge ourselves and celebrate. Mark your calendars for 5–6 November. It’s shaping up to be a memorable one. We have worked hard to keep the ticket cost down, and this year we have also opened the Wānanga to our AILA colleagues at the NZILA member rate. Registrations are open now.

There is plenty to be optimistic about. Next year will be better (?). In the meantime, keep fighting for the environment and landscapes we value, look after our wellbeing and culture, and keep investing in the human connections and communities that make the mahi worthwhile.

See you in Ōtautahi.

Ngā mihi nui

Ralph Johns, President