Awards Evening 2026: celebrating the future and the past
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On Saturday 19 September, finalists, members, partners and supporters came together at Chateau on the Park for the Young Landscaper of the Year and Legacy Awards Celebration Dinner. Hosted by MC Juliet Speedy, the sold-out evening announced the 2026 recipients, then carried on with dinner and dancing.
It was a night that looked both ways: ten young landscapers at the start of their careers, and two people who have spent decades building the path they are walking.
View the gallery below (more photos will be added next week)
Young Landscaper of the Year 2026
Overall winner: Connor Sullivan, Canterra
Communication: Taumata Lowe, OTERA Landscapes
Leadership: Taylor Allsop, Readylawn Industries
Hardscape Practice: Taumata Lowe, OTERA Landscapes
Softscape Practice: Connor Sullivan, Canterra
Read about the competition here
Landscape Legacy Award Recipients 2026
Thank you: the sponsors behind Young Landscaper of the Year 2026
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The Christchurch Botanic Gardens were busy from the 8.30am start on Saturday 19 September. All ten stations ran at once, visitors moved between them throughout the day, and the trade and supplier stands gave the public another way to explore the industry, with games and prizes for the children along the way. Every part of it was backed by a business or training provider that chose to invest in the next generation.
The station partners
Each station was supported by a business from across the industry, each testing a different skill.
- 01 Machinery Operation: Norwood
- 02 Trailer & Tools: STIHL
- 03 Soft Landscape Setout: Elliotts
- 04 Lawn Installation: Readylawn Industries
- 05 Profile Setout: DEWALT
- 06 Design: Playground Centre
- 07 Irrigation Set Up: Wetta
- 08 Plant Identification: Kiwiflora
- 09 Paving: Firth
- 10 Hardscape Construction: One Stop Deck Shop
- Finalist Speeches: Straightcurve
- Estimating Test: Site Safe
What the winner took home
Connor Sullivan’s winner prizes were valued at more than $7,300:
- Geely NZ: use of a Riddara RD6 electric ute through October ($1,000)
- STIHL: MSA 160 battery chainsaw kit ($1,018)
- DEWALT: 305mm compound slide mitre saw ($1,549)
- DEWALT: 54V cordless professional blower ($649)
- Site Safe: Health & Safety in Construction Scholarship ($2,500)
- Intelligro: $500 landscape supplies voucher
- Primary ITO: $150 Prezzy Card
Each of the four Outstanding Achievement Awards also came with a STIHL ASA 20 battery pruning secateurs package ($405) and a Site Safe merchandise pack ($150).
The Kit Bag
Possibly the best one yet.
Every finalist went home with a Firth Young Landscaper bag, and by the time they had unpacked it they had four caps, three bucket hats and a hat for every kind of weather. Here is what was inside.
- To wear: Firth tee, cap and bucket hat; Mitre 10 cap and socks; STIHL bucket hat and flip-flops; Playground Centre bucket hat; Straightcurve Young Landscaper of the Year cap; Invest Training Solutions cap; Carters jumper
- To work with: Elliotts Ninja gloves and pruning blades; Dulux portable site light; Playground Centre cable tidy; Mitre 10 pens; a Firth pencil
- To carry and cool: Bunnings Trade leather duffle bag; Firth Young Landscaper Bag, Mitre 10 chiller bag; Invest Training Solutions drink bottle
- To enjoy: One Stop Deck Shop $100 Hunting & Fishing voucher and branded beer; Wetta $250 voucher; Primary ITO $100 Prezzy Card; Firth mints
- To grow: A $1,000 personalised mentoring programme from Invest Training Solutions, plus Wetta training resources
With special thanks
Thank you to every sponsor, trade exhibitor, product supplier, prize contributor and training providers and to the judges who gave up their time.
Our key organisers were Hayden Stark, Michelle Mace and Rachel Louie. Readylawn Industries, Morgan & Pollard Xteriorscapes, Goom Landscaping and One Square Rate helped across the weekend and with set-up and pack-down.
Partners are welcome to share this page. If your business would like to be part of Young Landscaper of the Year 2029 let us know here
Auckland Central/East/South Meetup
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Wednesday 28 October
5.00pm to 6.30pm
Location
Kings Plant Barn,
86 Lunn Ave,Mt Wellington
What to expect:
Join us for drinks, nibbles and the chance to meet the Kings Plant Barn team.
Their experts will also share practical advice on preparation and aftercare for plant success in Auckland soils.
Auckland North/West Meetup
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Wednesday 14 October
5.00pm to 6.30pm
Location
Peter Fell Showroom,
81 Patiki Road, Avondale,
Auckland, 1026
What to expect:
A presentation from Allied Concrete and Peter Fell, including a look at FormaColoured coloured concrete and Permacore permeable concrete products, followed by time to catch up with other members.
For attendees
Goodie bags for everyone who comes along.
Meetups around the country
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Members are welsome at all regions and if you are a non-Member and would like to join us get in touch.
Auckland
West, North
Wednesday 14 October
5.00pm to 6.30pm
Location
Peter Fell Showroom,
81 Patiki Road, Avondale,
Auckland, 1026
What to expect:
A presentation from Allied Concrete and Peter Fell, including a look at FormaColoured coloured concrete and Permacore permeable concrete products, followed by time to catch up with other members.
For attendees
Goodie bags for everyone who comes along.
Central, East, South
Wednesday 28 October
5.00pm to 6.30pm
Location
Kings Plant Barn Stonefields,
86 Lunn Avenue, Mt Wellington
Hosted by
Kings Plant Barn
What to expect:
Join us for drinks, nibbles and the chance to meet the Kings Plant Barn team. Their experts will also share practical advice on preparation and aftercare for plant success in Auckland soils.
Bay of Plenty / Waikato
Thursday 15 October
5.00pm to 6.30pm
Location
Manhattan Bar & Eatery
What to expect
Join us at Manhattan Bar & Eatery in Tauranga for a relaxed get-together with fellow Bay of Plenty and Waikato members. Enjoy a drink on Registered Master Landscapers, catch up with familiar faces and make some new connections.
Board member Michelle Mace will also be there to share an update on what has been happening across the Association and what is coming up.
Christchurch
Thursday 22 October
4.30pm to 6.30pm
Location
Carlton Bar & Eatery
With support from
Dulux Avista
What to expect
Join us at The Carton Bar for a relaxed get-together with fellow Canterbury members. Enjoy a drink on Registered Master Landscapers and nibble kindly provided by Glen & Bianca from Dulux Avista.
Meet our newset Board Memebr, Karl Odell, and hear the latest Associateion updates. Hayden Start will also share highlights from Young Landscaper of the Year as we celebrate the members and sponsors who helped make the Christchurch event such a success.
4.30pm to 6.30pm
Carlton Bar & Eatery
Hawke’s Bay
Friday 30 October
1.00pm to 2.30pm
Location
Three Wise Birds Garden Bar
Hosted by
Terrascape
What to expect:
Join us for a relaxed Friday afternoon and a chance to catch up with fellow members before the Christmas rush.
We will welcome our new supply partner, Terrascapes, with Ian sharing a short presentation on their products. There will also be an opportunity to hear the latest from Registered Master Landscapers and ask any questions.
Nelson
Meetup details to be confirmed, please register your interest.
Otago
Thursday 29 October
4.30pm to 6.30pm
Location
The Crown Pub & Beer Garden
What to expect
Join us in Queenstown for a chance to catch up with fellow Otago members over a drink on Registered Master Landscapers.
We will also be welcoming Steve Pleskun from All Elements, our newest Board member representing Otago, as he takes over from Hayden Stark. Steve will share an update on what has been happening across the Association and what is coming up.
Wellington
Wednesday 21 October
4.00pm to 6.00pm
Location
Southern Cross Garden Bar
What to expect
Join us at the Southern Cross Garden Bar for a relaxed get-together with fellow members from the Wellington region. Enjoy a drink on Registered Master Landscapers in the venue’s leafy garden setting, catch up with familiar faces and make some new connections.
Board member Jono Sole will also be there to share an update on what has been happening across the Association and what is coming up.
Maintenance Worker
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Enjoy working outdoors, keeping large sites looking sharp, and having plenty of variety in your day? One Square Rate is looking for a Landscape Maintenance Person to join our Canterbury team.
Based from our Prebbleton yard, this role is focused on maintaining larger commercial and subdivision landscaping sites across the region.
This is not residential garden maintenance. You’ll be looking after established commercial landscapes, lawns, planting areas, and shared spaces, making sure they stay tidy, healthy, and well-presented throughout the year.
What You’ll Be Doing
Your day-to-day work will include:
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Lawn care and general turf maintenance
- Weeding and garden maintenance
- Weed spraying
- Plant care and replacement planting
- Pruning and trimming
- Mulching and general site presentation
- Identifying areas that need attention before they become a problem
- Operating mowing and landscaping equipment
- Keeping commercial sites consistently tidy and maintained
About You
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has previous landscaping, grounds maintenance, horticulture, or similar experience
- Is confident with lawn mowing and general landscape maintenance
- Has experience with weed spraying, or is willing to gain the required certification
- Has good plant knowledge, or is keen to develop it
- Can work independently and manage their day efficiently
- Is reliable, punctual, and takes ownership of their sites
- Is physically fit and comfortable working outdoors
- Has a full New Zealand driver’s licence
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Works well as part of a wider team Grow Safe, Site Safe, First Aid, WTR, or additional machinery experience would be an advantage but are not essential.
Why Join One Square Rate?
- Full-time, ongoing employment
- A varied range of large commercial and subdivision sites
- A role where you can take ownership of the areas you maintain
- Modern machinery and equipment
- A positive and supportive team environment
- Competitive pay based on experience and capability
- Opportunities to develop your horticulture, turf, and machinery skills
- An established Canterbury company with a strong ongoing workload
If you enjoy working outdoors, like seeing the results of your work, and want to take responsibility for keeping larger commercial landscapes looking their best, we’d like to hear from you.
To apply, email your CV or a brief summary of your experience to landscaping@onesquarerate.co.
Closing date 5pm, 9/10/26
Experienced Landscaper
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One Square Rate is looking for an experienced landscaper to join our team.
We’re based in Prebbleton and mainly operate throughout the Selwyn area, but work right across Christchurch. With more than 16 years in the industry, we have a strong pipeline of residential, commercial, and subdivision soft-landscaping projects.
No two weeks are the same, and you’ll be part of an organised team where experienced people are trusted to get on with the job. This is a hands-on role for someone who can step onto site, understand what needs to be done, and contribute from day one.
The Role
You’ll be involved in:
- Residential and commercial landscaping
- Subdivision soft landscaping
- Site preparation and setting levels
- Planting, edging, and finishing work
- Reading and following landscape plans
- Lawn preparation and installation
- Operating landscaping tools and machinery
- Keeping sites tidy, organised, and running efficiently
About You
You’ll need:
- At least two years of hands-on landscaping experience
- Experience in landscape construction and planting
- The ability to read and follow plans
- A good understanding of site preparation and levels
- A full, clean driver’s licence and confidence driving manual vehicles
- A reliable and punctual approach
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team
- A good understanding of Health and Safety
Site Safe, Grow Safe, First Aid, WTR, or a Class 2 licence would be an advantage but are not essential.
Why Join One Square Rate?
- Consistent, ongoing work
- A varied range of projects
- Competitive pay based on experience and capability
- Modern machinery and equipment
- Organised sites and clear systems
- A supportive team environment
- Opportunities to develop your skills and take on more responsibility
This role is suited to an experienced landscaper and is not suitable for entry-level applicants.
To apply, email your CV to landscaping@onesquarerate.co.
Closing 5pm, Closing date 9/10/26
Close competition, real camaraderie: Young Landscaper of the Year 2026
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Asked at the pre-competition briefing what they were most looking forward to, several finalists gave the same answer: meeting the other contestants. It is a small detail, but board member Michelle Mace, one of this year’s organisers, says it says something about what this competition has become. She hears much the same from judges and organisers on the other side of the table, several of whom have told her how rewarding they find being part of it.
That camaraderie played out across Saturday at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Ten finalists worked through the practical stations in front of the public, then each gave a short speech on who had inspired them, and how they hoped to inspire others in turn.
Michelle also points to how the competition has evolved over recent years to reflect just how many different strands make up landscaping as an industry, and this year’s field made that plain. The award winners alone covered a trained landscape architect, a lawn specialist and a hardscape specialist running his own business, each recognised for a genuinely different strength.
The judging bore out how close it was. Across thirteen challenges, seven were decided by fewer than ten points between the top three contestants.
Connor Sullivan, Canterra – Young Landscaper of the Year 2026 and Outstanding Achievement Award for Softscape Practicioner
Connor achieved top marks on four of the stations and was noted by judges for consistent professionalism and quality across every one of them, not just his strongest events. That consistency is what carried him to the overall title. As overall winner, he takes home a month’s use of an electric ute, a Site Safe Health and Safety scholarship and a range of tools and vouchers from our competition partners, part of a package worth more than $8,000.
“Connor’s result reflects the qualities this competition is designed to reveal: broad practical capability, sound judgement, confident communication and the ability to perform under pressure. He should be enormously proud, as should Canterra and the Canterbury landscaping community.” — Rachel Louie
Taumata Lowe, OTERA Landscapes – Outstanding Achievement Awards for Communication and Hardscape Practicioner
A second-time entrant, Taumata defended the Communication Award he first won on his previous attempt, and added Hardscape Practice with top marks across all three hardscape stations. His speech traced two mentors through two site radios, each run over by the foreman who taught him, at two different companies. Eighteen months into running his own business, OTERA Landscapes, he has bought a radio of his own, and says he is looking forward to the day someone runs that one over too.
Taylor Allsop, Readylawn Industries – Outstanding Achievement Award for Leadership
Taylor received top marks from the judges at every station, not for any single standout skill but for composure under pressure and the kind of personal attributes that mark someone out as a future leader.
None of this comes together without members putting in the work on the ground. Members helped with setup and dismantling across the weekend, leaving the Botanic Gardens in the same condition they found it. As a small organisation, we rely on that kind of support to make an event like this happen. Thank you to our Christchurch member companies Xteriorscapes, Morgan & Pollard, Goom Landscapes and One Square Rate.
Several of this year’s finalists have already told Michelle they intend to enter again in 2028. That is a real seal of approval for an event built to develop the next generation of industry leaders.
Wayne Butson and Euan Milne recipients of 2026 Landscape Legacy Awards
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Wayne has spent 35 years building a respected business and, alongside it, strengthening the profession itself, including years spent volunteering with LIANZ, our predecessor organisation. Plenty of people in this industry have been shaped by working alongside him, and that is really what this award is about.
Euan’s 30 years at Kūmānu tell a similar story: hands-on leadership, apprentices mentored into their own careers, and a body of work built on the belief that good landscapes respond to their environment and last for generations.
Janet Clarke, our Chair, put it well:
“Wayne and Euan have both invested decades in people, professional standards and work that endures. Their influence can be seen not only in landscapes, but in the teams, apprentices and industry leaders they have helped develop. It is a privilege to recognise that contribution.”
The Legacy Award recognises members whose horizons extend beyond the success of their individual company and reach to the wider landscaping community. It runs every two years alongside Young Landscaper of the Year, deliberately pairing our newest talent with the people who built the path for them.
Congratulations, Wayne and Euan. Well deserved.
Landscape Gardener
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Diva landscapes is an award winning, high-end landscape gardening company operating in the Wakatipu Basin.
Our work focuses on year-round garden maintenance for our clients, as well as landscaping projects for new builds and garden renovations.
We are looking for our spring crew. You will be fully trained and supported in all aspects of garden maintenance whilst looking after our prestigious properties in the Wakatipu Basin.
Experience would be helpful but not essential and being fit & active is important as it is a physically demanding role.
To apply, you will need
- Care Factor and Enthusiasim
- A reliable, self-motivated work ethic
- A willingness to learn and develop
- To follow instructions efficiently and safely
- Hold a valid visa
- Own transport and full, clean driving licence
What we Offer
- Being part of a passionate team
- Training in a supportive environment while also offering horticulture Apprenticeships for career advancements.
- Subsidised social events
- The best views of any job!
- Full body work out – whilst being paid!
Closing date 30 September
Please head to www.divalandscapes.co.nz/