News
Read about what is happening at Boffa Miskell – from our people news and award results to what we’re doing in the community.
2020
Success for Boffa Miskell at the Nohonga Design Challenge
Teams from Tauranga and Auckland are two of the five finalists in the inaugural design competition
25 June 2020
Our people on the move: from Wellington to the Waikato
Landscape architects Helen and Frazer Baggaley have joined the growing team in Boffa Miskell's Hamilton office.
23 June 2020
Dr Jaz Morris awarded by New Zealand Journal of Botany
Late last year Jaz received the biennial Early-Career Researcher prize by the New Zealand Journal of Botany (published by the Royal Society), in relation to a paper he published in that journal during his PhD studies.
14 May 2020
Alert Level 2: our response to COVID-19
As New Zealand moves to Alert Level 2, here's what Boffa Miskell’s working environment will look like from Thursday 14 May.
14 May 2020
Alert Level 3: our response to COVID-19
As New Zealand moves to Alert Level 3, here's what Boffa Miskell’s working environment will look like from Tuesday 28 April.
28 April 2020
Working from home: over 12,200km from the office
Charlene Lubbe, a senior administrator in the Auckland office, was enjoying a long-planned visit to her family in Pretoria, South Africa. As she was due to return, the world was changing very quickly.
23 April 2020
David Sim: keynote speaker at Transportation 2020 conference
Tim Church, urban designer in our Queenstown office, introduced David Sim, reminding conference goers that David had brought a valuable international perspective and enthusiasm to Christchurch as part of the post-earthquake masterplanning work.
23 April 2020
Boffa Miskell’s role in the Department of Conservation PF2050 Strategy
The Tools to Market programme is well underway, with projects trialling biosecurity and pest-control innovations.
2 April 2020
Boffa Miskell’s response to COVID-19
Like you, we have been keeping abreast of the rapidly-evolving COVID-19 situation, with our primary focus on our people, our clients, and our communities.
23 March 2020
World Water Day on 22 March
World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day that highlights the importance of freshwater.
20 March 2020
Victoria University Scholarship awarded
Celia Hall is the recipient of the Boffa Miskell 4th-Year Student Landscape Architecture Award at Victoria University.
18 March 2020
2020 Landscape Architecture leaders
Boffa Miskell has named eight consultants as discipline leaders for Landscape Architecture, and Frazer Baggaley discipline coordinator.
18 March 2020
Tiaki Over Time: mentoring visiting students
Fourteen landscape architecture students from the University of Washington (Seattle) participated in a research and design process along the Ōtakaro Avon River Corridor in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
10 March 2020
The results are in: Boffa Miskell in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge
The cumulative effect of Boffa Miskell people making their weekday commute via pedal power equates to 1177kg of carbon dioxide that didn’t go into our atmosphere.
10 March 2020
The Green Team: keeping a focus on sustainability
The Boffa Miskell Green Team was established as part of the company’s commitment to grow awareness around sustainability.
20 February 2020
We’re back on our bikes
After a strong showing in 2019, Boffa Miskell offices across the country have taken up the Aotearoa Cycle Challenge for 2020.
18 February 2020
Following Bats in Fiordland
New Zealand is home to two extant species of native bat, the long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) and the lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata).
13 February 2020
Consultants promoted from graduate to professional level
With experience gained from project work in ecology, planning and landscape architecture, these six consultants are growing their roles within the company.
20 January 2020
Mātauranga Māori profiled by the New Zealand Journal of Ecology
A group of Māori ecologists and scientists have contributed to a special edition of the New Zealand Journal of Ecology, driving change to place Mātauranga Māori alongside Western science.
17 January 2020
Three Waters Review Reports made public
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has published three comprehensive reports on wastewater treatment, which Boffa Miskell assisted in preparing.
13 January 2020
2019
Our ecologists present at the World Congress of Herpetology
In early January, the University of Otago will host over 1000 herpetologists to discuss the ecology and biology of the world's reptiles and amphibians. Three Boffa Miskell ecologists are presenting to the global audience of experts.
17 December 2019
NZILA Creative Panel members
Hanna O'Donoghue and Rangitahi Kawe are part of a newly formed panel within the NZILA which will provide creative direction and help guide the calendar of Institute events.
12 December 2019
Lincoln University student’s playground design wins 2020 Boffa Miskell scholarship
Nicole Tune has won the Boffa Miskell scholarship for Meritorious Achievement in Third Year Landscape Architecture.
6 December 2019
NZILA announces new Registered Members for 2019
The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) has announced those graduate members who successfully passed the 2019 NZILA Registration interview and are now Registered Members of the Institute.
2 December 2019
Submissions sought on proposed NPS for Indigenous Biodiversity
The government has released a discussion document on a proposed National Policy Statement (NPS) for Indigenous Biodiversity. Submissions on the discussion document are being sought, and consultation will close on 14 March 2020.
29 November 2019
Mana Motuhake unveiled in Victoria Square
A series of artworks in Victoria Square called Mana Motuhake has been unveiled and blessed. The installation of Mana Motuhake is one of the final elements of Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct to be completed.
28 November 2019
Long-life lures receive Predator Free 2050 funding
Long-life lures for rodents, possums and mustelids developed by Dr Helen Blackie are among the predator control tools selected for funding by Predator Free 2050.
22 November 2019
Te Hononga Tangata
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern was present at the recent opening of Te Hononga Tangata.
18 November 2019
Success at the 2019 NZILA Awards
Boffa Miskell was the most-awarded consultancy at the 2019 NZILA Awards, as our work was recognised with five Awards of Excellence, five category wins and the overall supreme award.
13 November 2019
Otira Valley Viaduct — Twenty years on
The viaduct in the Otira Valley ‘flows with the grain of the land’, following a collaborative effort between Boffa Miskell landscape architects and the engineering team.
6 November 2019
Surveying pest plants in the Residential Red Zone
If you think that it’s hard keeping on top of the weeds in your own backyard, imagine looking after nearly 600 hectares of former garden in the Christchurch Residential Red Zone.
5 November 2019
Remote possibilities: Peter Wilder has been appointed Manager UAV Services
Advances in electronics, camera technology and small unmanned aircraft have created a new generation of survey and site data acquisition that is affordable and adaptable to the needs of developers and planners.
24 October 2019
Pop-up Placemaking in Hamilton, Part Two
Thanks to a bit of imagination and a sunny day, Hamilton had a new lunchtime destination... for just three hours!
16 October 2019
Opinion: It’s time to end our love affair with plastic
Ecologist Katrina McDermott explains why she returned from her recent holiday with a heightened concern for the extent of microplastic pollution.
14 October 2019
Planner Sharon Dines analyses the proposed changes in Freshwater Policies
With a goal of stopping degradation, improving quality and reversing past damage to freshwater systems, the government has proposed a comprehensive suite of policy documents and legislative changes related to freshwater management. Water allocation issues, and Maori interests are also addressed within these proposals.
14 October 2019
Silver and Bronze at the 2019 Best Awards
Projects in Auckland, Napier, and Passchendaele (Belgium) were recognised at the 2019 DINZ Best Awards.
7 October 2019
Stories of arrival unveiled in Gisborne
This month marks 250 years since the first onshore meetings between Māori and Europeans at the Puhi Kai Iti Wānanga site in Turanganui-a-Kiwa .
4 October 2019
Landscape-led design wins Festival of Architecture competition
A team of three landscape architects from Boffa Miskell's Auckland office re-envisioned transport infrastructure as a public amenity and won the Auckland Architecture Association's first annual Public Good Urban Design Competition.
1 October 2019
Festival of Architecture: three offices join Park[ing] Day 2019
Tauranga, Auckland and Hamilton took part in the annual global event which encourages the reimagination of public space through guerrilla re-design of parking spaces. It all started in 2005 when an art and design studio converted a single metered parking space into a temporary public park in downtown San Francisco.
25 September 2019
View through a creative lens: when science and creativity meet
Auckland-based ecologist Samantha King has been selected as a finalist for the 2019 New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year.
19 September 2019
Peak to Peak Success for the Queenstown office
Boffa Miskell's Queenstown consultants participated in Peak to Peak, a stunningly scenic one-day multisport race that challenges competitors to test both their physical and mental strength. The event is New Zealand’s longest running winter multisport race.
16 September 2019
Enter the Dragon (Boat) — and bring back a gold
Tauranga-based landscape architect Rebecca Ryder recently attended the IDBF World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand.
5 September 2019
An expedition to the Auckland Islands
Brent Barrett is part of a Department of Conservation expedition investigating the feasibility of eradicating pigs, cats and mice from Auckland Island (Maukahuka) in the New Zealand subantarctic island region.
12 August 2019
Five projects are finalists for Best Awards
The Designers Institute of New Zealand have notified all projects that have been short-listed for the 2019 Best Awards.
9 August 2019
Eco-visionary Dr Antwi Akom speaking at 2019 NZILA Conference
One of the international speakers at the upcoming NZILA Conference is Dr Antwi Akom, named by former US President Barack Obama as one of the world’s top innovators.
24 July 2019
Creative thinking benefits native fish
Connectivity of our natural systems is a key part of ecosystem function and, while sometimes overlooked, even highly-modified urban environments can provide habitats for aquatic species.
19 July 2019
Wellington consultants mentor young entrepreneurs
Jos Coolen reports on Boffa Miskell's invovement with Entreprenuers In Action
9 July 2019
Biosecurity budget increase to fight invasive lake weeds
More than $7.5 million over four years has been set aside as part of Budget 2019 in support of biosecurity work to protect lakes, rivers and lands from invasive weeds and pests.
8 July 2019
Senior appointments announced for 2019
Promotion to Senior Principal, Principal, and Associate Principal have been made across the design, planning and science disciplines, and add eleven consultants to the talented pool of leaders within Boffa Miskell.
2 July 2019
Ecology Quarterly: a success story
Our Ecology Quarterly newsletter is officially 18 months old and continues to prove that a good idea, strategically implemented, will deliver on its objective.
27 June 2019
Waterview Connection scoops an International Award
The Waterview Connection has won the LABC’s Tripartite Award. This award fosters design and collaboration between sister cities Los Angeles, Auckland and Guangzhou in China, and acknowledges commitment to shared urban development and sustainability goals.
24 June 2019
Boffa Miskell achieves CEMARS® certification
In light of increasing concern over climate change, Boffa Miskell's Board and Partners are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and assessing our contribution to New Zealand's move towards a green or low-carbon economy.
21 June 2019
Getting Ready for AC36
Just as the 2011 Rugby World Cup was the catalyst for many public realm improvements in Auckland City Centre and along the Waterfront, New Zealand's next opportunity to welcome an international audience and host one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events, the 2021 America’s Cup, is providing similar urgency to the ambitious agenda of public realm improvements.
17 June 2019
Several projects short-listed for 2019 NZILA Awards
The NZILA Awards judges have notified all projects that have been short-listed for the 2019 Resene New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architecture Awards.
28 May 2019
Te Ana Marina wins at Commercial Project Awards
The Woolstore & Te Ana Marina took a Bronze Award at the NZ Commercial Project Awards event held at Auckland Sky City.
27 May 2019
New Partner and Associate Partner Appointments
Consultants in landscape architecture, planning and ecology are named Partners and Associate Partners for 2019.
13 May 2019
Foxton Pump Track named Active Park of the Year
Foxton Beach’s popular pump track has been awarded Active Park of the Year at the Recreation Aotearoa 2019 New Zealand Parks Awards.
10 May 2019
Boffa Miskell selected for Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement
Boffa Miskell is one of the key consultants appointed to undertake the reinstatement of Christ Church Cathedral and will oversee the urban design and landscape architecture components.
10 May 2019
What You Need to Know about the Proposed National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity
Since 2010, the Government has made several starts on the development of a proposed National Policy statement on Indigenous Biodiversity (pNPSIB). A National Policy Statement (NPS) was seen as an essential response to the continuing decline in native plants, animals and their ecosystems.
1 May 2019
Meet the Boffa Miskell ecology team: Dr Katherine Dixon
Dr Katherine Dixon adds a scientific component to Boffa Miskell’s ever-growing presence in the lower South Island.
1 May 2019
Opinion: Will ‘Enduring Stewardship’ be a New Chapter for the High Country?
After nearly twenty years, Government has signalled the end of the Crown Pastoral Land Act and the Tenure Review Process. Ecologist Katherine Dixon examines the pros and cons of this often-controversial legislation; and what might take its place.
1 May 2019
Issues for EcIA in the marine environment in New Zealand
Assessments of ecological effects on the marine environment in New Zealand can be challenging due to a number of factors. Dr Sharon De Luca outlines the ways in which some of these factors affect the reliability of descriptions and impact assessments, and considers how these might influence the quality of resource management in the marine area.
29 April 2019
Ecologists get a close-up look
In the warmer months most of Boffa Miskell's ecologists are away from the office and out in the field. Recording data and taking photos is an essential part of any ecological survey.
16 April 2019
Boffa Miskell at the NZPI Conference
From presentations and discussion panels, to sponsoring keynote speakers and winning awards, the 2019 NZPI Conference was a great success for our planning consultants.
15 April 2019
Engagement Innovations Win Awards
Wellington projects have been recognised: a Golden Quill Award of Merit related to the Omaroro/Prince of Wales Reservoir Consenting for Wellington Water, and an NZPI Best Practice Award for the Pre-1930’s Character Area Review undertaken with Wellington City Council. The creativity and skill of our Technical Services team played a key role in these wins.
15 April 2019
An imaginative playspace in Underwood Reserve
A first-of-its-kind playspace for Auckland has opened, based on traditional Maori games and play artefacts. Te Mara Hupara playground is part of Te Auaunga Awa in Mt Roskill, Auckland.
9 April 2019
An unexpected discovery in the Mackenzie Basin
A routine survey added another species to the list of New Zealand's unique indigenous fauna.
19 March 2019
Boffa Miskell takes on the Aotearoa Bike Challenge
The audited results have been released, and it’s official – Boffa Miskell cyclists turned in outstanding performances locally and nationally during February's Aotearoa Bike Challenge.
19 March 2019
Dave Moule appointed Managing Principal for Hamilton
Just over three years ago, planner Dave Moule was the first consultant hired for Boffa Miskell's then-new Hamilton office.
8 March 2019
Boffa Miskell consultants get on their bikes
From Auckland to Queenstown, our staff are taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge. The challenge runs through February; and with just four days to go, the competition is fierce.
25 February 2019
Urban Design Forum debate live-streamed from Auckland’s North Studio
Our Auckland office started the 2019 Studio Sessions by hosting a debate sponsored by the Urban Design Forum. Mediated by Nick Williamson, senior planning consultant at Align Limited, a panel of six urban design experts and opinion leaders argued the topic, "Urban Design: The panacea we had hoped for?"
20 February 2019
Ahuriri Lagoon Mātauranga Māori Monitoring Programme
A journey towards reinstating and restoring a thriving cultural ecosystem and habitat.
19 February 2019
Another summer of placemaking at Riverlink
Placemaking capitalizes on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and well-being. It's an on-going element of the Riverlink project.
11 February 2019
Our Tauranga team volunteers with the Aongatete Forest Project
The Tauranga office team left their desks and computers behind, and headed out to spend the day getting hands-on in the forest.
5 February 2019
Opinion: examining the ongoing debate about 1080
Few topics are as polarising or divisive in New Zealand as the use of aerial 1080 for the control of introduced mammalian pests.
1 February 2019
Ecologists in the field: studying coastal protection structures
Ecologist Daniel Ahern's fieldwork supports a project that was funded through the Boffa Miskell Research Programme. The objective is to provide robust quantitative data in order to determine if certain coastal protection structures, or methods of construction, provide better ecological outcomes than others.
30 January 2019
Meet the Boffa Miskell ecology team: Andrew Blayney
Terrestrial and freshwater ecology is Andrew Blayney’s passion, and since joining Boffa Miskell he’s carried out ecological surveys and assessments throughout the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
30 January 2019
Here’s what you need to know about managing construction impacts on avifauna:
On a global scale, New Zealand is home to a reasonably low diversity of bird species; however, what we lack in diversity, we make up for with uniqueness.
30 January 2019
Steve Dunn honoured for 40 years at Boffa Miskell
Landscape architect Steve Dunn has been recognised for 40 years at Boffa Miskell. As the company's longest-serving employee and a member of the Wellington office, Steve provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise to projects of all scales – from residential sites to large scale commercial and public works.
21 January 2019
Natural character assessments and provisions in a coastal environment
Rhys Girvan and Emma McRae delve into natural character assessments in the coastal environment and help define the difference between natural character and landscape evaluation. They also consider how to define the coastal environment, scale of assessment, and outstanding natural character.
17 January 2019
Innovative accommodation on Mid Dome for biosecurity contractors
Portable accommodation built from a repurposed 26,000 litre plastic water tank is the latest innovation in the fight against wilding pines in Southland’s vulnerable high country.
16 January 2019
Landscape Planning Workshops
In late November and early December, landscape architects and landscape planners throughout the company attended Landscape and Visual Effects Assessment (LVA) workshops run by James Bentley.
10 January 2019
Hessian matting is ‘a game-changer’ in Lake Wanaka
Biodegradable hessian matting continues to be at the front line of defense against the spread of the invasive weed lagarosiphon in Lake Wanaka.
8 January 2019
2018
2018: A landmark year of making places for people
Thinking about how we want to live and the ways we move around; shaping the future, while preserving the best of the past. Creating better places for people has been one of the overarching themes of the past year.
17 December 2018
Rangitahi Kawe & Te Pio Kawe: two generations
The dictionary defines a generation as "the period during which children are born and grow up, become adults". In kinship terminology, it designates the parent-child relationship; and as a verb, ‘generation’ is also known as bio-genesis: “life-beginning”.
10 December 2018
Provincial Growth Funding for Dolomite Point Redevelopment
West Coast tourism will benefit from an $87.46 million investment from the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF), including a commitment of $25.6 million in funding for Dolomite Point at Punakaiki.
4 December 2018
NZILA announces 2018 new registered members
The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) has announced those graduate members who successfully passed the 2018 NZILA Registration interview and are now Registered Members of the Institute.
3 December 2018
Small Town Forums: sharing ideas and finding solutions
Bringing local government officials together, starting conversations and helping regional communities find new vitality
13 November 2018
Te Ana Marina: honouring the past, moving to the future
Reconnecting with the site's history inspired a new look and name for this waterfront destination, and guided the design of the development
13 November 2018
Botanical Surveys in the MacKenzie Basin
Ecologist Scott Hooson has worked on various projects in the MacKenzie Basin. He shares insights from his botanical surveys of the native plant communities on the basin floor.
30 October 2018
Opinion: The Annual Whitebait Run
Every year, sometime between August to November, various articles are published about the state of our whitebait fishery. These usually begin with a reference to the “good old days” when whitebait were so plentiful that they were used as fertiliser in gardens and chicken feed.
30 October 2018
Meet the Boffa Miskell ecology team: Dr Sharon De Luca
When Sharon De Luca started university, she expected she’d end up with a degree in law or accounting. She clearly had some inkling of her future, because although she discovered a passion for marine science that changed her career path, you’re now as likely to find Sharon in a courtroom as out in the field.
30 October 2018
What you need to know about the 2018 EIANZ Guidelines
In May of this year, the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) issued the second edition of their guidelines for ecological impact assessment.
30 October 2018
Opening blessing for Wairākei Stream
A ceremony on the banks of the Wāirakei Stream, and the planting of five kahikatea marks the start of a landscape enhancement plan for Te Ara O Wāirakei and Wāirakei/Taylor Reserve in Papamoa.
25 October 2018
Opinion: Can cultural attributes help guide us as we restore degraded waterways back to health?
Norm Hill, Kaiarataki in Boffa Miskell's Te Hihiri discipline discusses the intersection between indigenous beliefs and colonial regulations on New Zealand’s environment. Incorporating Maori cultural values to legislative frameworks highlights mana whenua’s spiritual connection with, and stewardship of, New Zealand’s freshwater rivers, lakes and wetlands.
16 October 2018
Waterloo Park recognised for Urban Design Excellence
Congratulations to Waterloo Business Park - winner of the Resene Urban Design Award at the 2018 Property Council New Zealand Southern Excellence Awards.
16 October 2018
Willow Removal on the Kawarau River
Keeping Lake Wakatipu free of the fast-growing invasive weed lagarosiphon takes considerable effort.
10 October 2018
Two consultants join Urban Design Forum leadership
The Urban Design Forum promotes cross-disciplinary understanding of urban design and provides a forum for discussion of design-based approaches that are relevant to the development and management of New Zealand towns and cities.
9 October 2018
Improving Freshwater Quality: what do the new policies mean for you?
The government has announced the next steps to improve New Zealand’s waterways, seeking to deliver better water quality within five years.
9 October 2018
RMLA Conference and Awards
Two Boffa Miskell projects were award-winners at the 2018 Resource Management Law Association (RMLA) Conference
27 September 2018
Te Onewa Pā wins 2018 Arthur Mead Award
Industry and community recognition keeps coming for Te Onewa Pā. The project's latest commendation is the coveted Arthur Mead Award, presented by the Auckland branch of Engineering New Zealand.
12 September 2018
Boffa Miskell hosting IFLA President
James Hayter, the new president of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) is heading to New Zealand and delivering a series of lectures.
11 September 2018
Boffa Miskell joins the Festival of Architecture
Last year, the inaugural Festival of Architecture was held in centres from Kaikohe in the north to Queenstown in the south. This year, the New Zealand Institute of Architects wants expand on their success, and have involved urban designers and landscape architects in the schedule of events. The Festival runs from 14 – 23 September, and includes presentations, …
Continue reading "Boffa Miskell joins the Festival of Architecture"
6 September 2018
Campbell Crescent and Sir John Logan Campbell Fountain
The new design enhances the visibility and prominence of the Sir John Logan Campbell statue and fountain, and restores Campbell Crescent as the main point of arrival to Cornwall Park.
6 September 2018
Waikato District Landscape Study
Boffa Miskell was engaged by Waikato District Council to undertake a review of the existing landscape characterisation and classifications, and to re-evaluate the landscapes for the Council’s District Plan Review.
5 September 2018
On the move and growing in the South Island
It’s been a busy time for Boffa Miskell, as the company’s presence on the South Island has expanded into Otago, and the Christchurch office has moved to new premises in the city centre.
16 August 2018
Changing our city streets: reframing the debate
In print and on-line, the discussion around changes to our city and suburban streets continues. Landscape architect John Potter considers the situation from a design- and people-based perspective.
13 August 2018
Boffa Miskell delivers with BIM
Embracing innovative technologies is nothing new for Boffa Miskell – and the company initiative to advance its design team’s capability in Building Information Modelling (BIM) is moving at a rapid pace.
10 August 2018
Consultation is the key: the Hurunui District Plan
When the Hurunui District Plan became operative, there was a greater-than-usual level of satisfaction at the District Council Offices in Amberley because the plan had been approved with no appeals received from the public.
6 August 2018
Opinion: An ecologist’s perspective on stream diversions
If stream diversions are to achieve good aquatic ecological outcomes, a new set of paradigms is required when considering maintenance, flooding, erosion and visual amenity.
2 August 2018
Meet the Boffa Miskell ecology team: Scott Hooson
In his role at Boffa Miskell, Scott Hooson's natural habitat spans the South Island wetlands, estuaries, lakes, streams, grasslands, shrublands and forests from coastal sites to the alpine zone.
2 August 2018
Is your project near bat habitat? Here’s what you need to know
New Zealand has two species of native bat, both of which are of conservation concern. The long-tailed bat is classified as ‘Nationally Critical’ and the lesser short-tailed bat has three sub-species, all classified as ‘At Risk’ or ‘Threatened’.
2 August 2018
Lagarosiphon: the journey from home aquariums to our lakes and waterways
Lagarosiphon major may not be a name you know, but once you have seen a photo you’ll probably recognise it as the oxygen weed that you had in your fish pond or aquarium when you were a kid.
2 August 2018
A Landscape Architect’s Approach to Waterplay
Sarah Collins presented "A Landscape Architect's Approach to Waterplay" at the 2018 Green Pavlova Conference. The event showcases thought leadership and best-practice in recreation, sport and play.
2 August 2018
Community Engagement: What is it, and why does it matter?
Read an article about any large-scale public works project, and you’re sure to see phrases like “robust community engagement” or “after consultation with residents and iwi” – but what do those words mean?
9 July 2018
The Business Case for Walking wins 2018 Golden Foot Award
When it comes to justifying investment in public sector infrastructure, the economic benefit of improvements to the pedestrian experience have historically been hard-to-quantify, and therefore misunderstood and under-valued.
9 July 2018
Senior appointments announced for 2018
It’s with great pleasure that we announce our 2018 Senior Principal, Principal and Associate Principal promotions, which took effect 1st July. These appointments have been made across our design, planning and science disciplines, and add to the talented pool of leaders within Boffa Miskell.
9 July 2018
Revised threatened plant classification – what does it mean for you?
Last month, the Department of Conservation re-classified a number of New Zealand plants as 'threatened' (402) or 'at-risk' (851). Ecologist Ian Boothroyd, a senior principal and technical leader in our Auckland Office, examines how this change might affect Councils and developers.
9 July 2018
2018 Urbanism New Zealand Conference
The first Urbanism New Zealand Conference in over a decade saw a contingent of planners, urban designers and landscape architects from Boffa Miskell participate in the two-day event.
12 June 2018
A Management Plan for Lindvart Park
Boffa Miskell has delivered a Draft Reserve Management plan for Lindvart Park in Kaikohe to the Far North District Council (FNDC).
12 June 2018
Two awards for Pukaha National Wildlife Centre
Pukaha National Wildlife Centre received two awards from the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association. Close to 200 delegates from 12 countries gathered for the conference, which was hosted by Wellington Zoo.
12 June 2018
Boffa Miskell names three Associate Partners
Consultants in planning, ecology and urban design are appointed Associate Partners
4 May 2018
Victoria Square is restored and open to the public
One of the best-loved spaces in Christchurch city centre is open to the public again, and in a landscape that still bears significant scars, it once again welcomes locals and visitors with its soft, green and familiar character.
4 May 2018
Planting Day at Pegasus Town
For the second year in a row, Boffa Miskell’s Christchurch office held a planting day in lieu of giving gifts to clients at Christmas time.
4 May 2018
Strategies and success against invasive aquatic plants
The words 'predator-free' and 'pest-control' usually bring to mind animals like possums and rodents; but for New Zealand lakes and rivers, biosecurity threats are more likely to involve weeds and plants.
4 May 2018
Join us at the 2018 UrbanismNZ conference
Hosted by Wellington City Council and the Urban Design Forum the program theme for 2018 is ‘Joining the Dots’. The aim of the conference is to shape New Zealand’s cities and places by identifying the key issues, thereby making the connection to bring about change.
4 May 2018
Meet the Boffa Miskell ecology team: Tessa Roberts
In her role at Boffa Miskell, Wellington-based ecologist Tessa Roberts blends a passion for the environment with keen analytical skills. She has been part of the on-going environmental assessment and monitoring teams on major infrastructure projects, including Transmission Gully and the MacKay’s to Peka Peka Expressway.
20 April 2018
White-flippered penguins: These flightless birds are found only in Canterbury
The kiwi may be New Zealand’s official bird and it has a kooky Dr Seuss-ian appeal, but for charm and personality, a 30 cm-tall little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) is tough to beat.
20 April 2018
Does your project involve native lizards? Here’s what you need to know.
New Zealand's native lizards are all protected under various legislation. If your project site is near their habitat, you'll need to follow the required protocols.
20 April 2018
Opinion: Dr Sharon De Luca on the value of mangroves
The values of mangroves in New Zealand are often misrepresented and misunderstood, and this has led, in some cases, to mismanagement and unanticipated adverse ecological outcomes.
20 April 2018
Stakeholders put words into action at Mangawhai
Agreeing on a strategy for Fairy Tern recovery
27 March 2018
Our biosecurity team rubs shoulders with the ‘who’s who’ of the aquatic plant world
The 15th International Symposium on Aquatic Plants was held in Queenstown, the week of February 18 – 23. It’s the first time the event was hosted outside of Europe, and Boffa Miskell was major sponsor through our Biosecurity Partnership with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). The Symposium was attended by our Christchurch-based biosecurity consultants as …
28 February 2018
2017
A partnership for protection
Boffa Miskell joins iwi, private business and the Department of Conservation to protect at-risk shorebirds
13 December 2017
Six of our consultants have joined the ranks of NZILA-Registered Landscape Architects
Thomas Keal (Tauranga), Megan Walker (Christchurch), Benjamin Loh, Hanna O’Donoghue, Meg Kane and Tom Lines (Auckland) all passed the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects examination in November.
12 December 2017
Sculpture in the Gardens is now open
Boffa Miskell continues its association with the Auckland Botanical Gardens’ exhibition ‘Sculpture in the Gardens’, which opened for the 2017/18 season in November.
4 December 2017
Enduring Gifts, Visionary Landscapes
Thomas Woltz lectured on the future of public parks and the legacy of private philanthropy during a visit to Auckland in November.
4 December 2017
Dr Leigh Bull will be the keynote speaker at NZCS Conference
Dr Leigh Bull, a senior principal ecologist in Boffa Miskell’s Wellington office, will be one of the keynote speakers at the New Zealand Coastal Society conference, along with Manea Sweeney, Discipline Manager – Horizon Planning of Tonkin & Taylor. The conference takes place in Tauranga, 15 – 17 November.
6 November 2017
Four projects recognised in regional and national awards
Te Ara Mua Future Streets, Marine Parade Redevelopment Skate Park, M2PP Expressway and Greenhill Park projects have been awarded in the recent Bike to the Future, New Zealand Concrete and We are Waikato Awards held throughout the country in October.
1 November 2017
Boffa Miskell’s Te Hihiri Cultural Advisors and Papa Pounamu
Two members of Boffa Miskell’s Te Hihiri team, Jade Wikaira and Norm Hill, are on the national committee of Papa Pounamu, a special interest group of the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI).
1 November 2017
Appointments to Te Kahu o Te Taiao – Waimāori / Iwi Science Panel – Freshwater
Te Hihiri advisors Craig Pauling, Norm Hill and Nicole Hodgson have been appointed to the 2017 National Objectives Framework Iwi Science Panel – Te Kahu o Te Taiao, to assist in setting freshwater objectives as required under the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS).
29 September 2017
RMLA 2017 keynote address
As sponsors of the keynote address at the 2017 RMLA conference, our team of Sharon Dines, Stuart Houghton and Julie Harp-Johnson were instrumental in securing Jennifer Keesmaat, Chief Planner of the City of Toronto, to lead off the Resource Management Law Association (RMLA) conference.
29 September 2017
Biosecurity services strengthen at Boffa Miskell
Boffa Miskell is building on its 15-year experience in biosecurity, by establishing a specialist team to help protect and enhance environments through innovative and effective biosecurity solutions.
31 August 2017
Marine Parade redevelopment opens
Napier celebrates the opening of The Reef Garden, which is the latest project in the redevelopment of Marine Parade.
31 August 2017
It’s play time again at Potters Park, Takapuna
Jump, slide, swing and climb! Youngsters are enjoying the Potters Park playground with renewed enthusiasm following its refurbishment, designed by Boffa Miskell.
26 July 2017
Partnering to protect biodiversity on Banks Peninsula
Boffa Miskell has teamed up with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust by becoming a gold sponsor of the community-driven organisation, which works to protect and enhance biodiversity in the area.
27 June 2017
Quail Island planting day
Our Christchurch office recently participated in a planting day to support the Ōtamahua/Quail Island Ecological Restoration Trust in its efforts to restore native vegetation on the island.
27 June 2017
National Planning Standards
Do you work with RMA planning documents? Are you involved in providing advice to clients on the content of RMA plans/policy statements? If so, the proposed National Planning Standards will affect you.
27 June 2017
Repairing Kaikōura’s transport links
Work is continuing apace to fully reconnect Kaikōura’s road and rail links following the massively damaging 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the area in November last year.
27 June 2017
New Managing Principal for Tauranga
A significant milestone in our Tauranga office has seen Sharon De Luca succeed longstanding Managing Principal, Craig Batchelar, in the role.
30 May 2017
Prison expansion proposed
The Department of Corrections is seeking to increase capacity at Waikeria Prison in the Waikato, to meet the rising demand for prisoner places
30 May 2017
Putting theory into practice
A summer internship has given Victoria University landscape architecture student, Yousr Ali, an introduction to the realities of landscape architecture in practice.
20 April 2017
Landscape architecture awards
Boffa Miskell projects have been recognised in the 2017 NZILA Pride of Place landscape architecture awards, including the Cornwall Park Master Plan and Croftfield Lane Stormwater Wetland.
20 April 2017
Executive appointments for Rebecca Ryder
Rebecca Ryder has been elected to the NZ Institute of Landscape Architects' Executive Committee and the Tauranga Heart of the City Technical Advisory Group.
10 April 2017
Sharing knowledge with paruauru (gardeners)
Meg Kane, from our landscape architecture team, shares her knowledge of garden design with households throughout the country via TV ONE’s Whanau Living show.
1 March 2017
2016
Kāpiti Expressway nears completion
The opening of the M2PP Expressway in early 2017 will mark the fruition of a major infrastructure project on which a multi-disciplinary Boffa Miskell team has worked for seven years.
22 December 2016
Urban Tree Groups Protected
Urban tree groups in Upper Hutt are now protected after a successful Plan Change, which was based on assessment methodology developed by Boffa Miskell.
11 November 2016
Boffa Miskell in the Waikato
Boffa Miskell recently celebrated the opening of its Waikato office, based in Hamilton.
11 November 2016
GEM Awards for Waterview Connection motorway project
The Well-Connected Alliance team, including Boffa Miskell’s Al Rigby (pictured left with Lesley Hopkins from Beca, and Ray Chang from the Well-Connected Alliance), has been recognised for ‘Going the Extra Mile’ on the Waterview Connection project at the NZ Transport Agency’s 2016 GEM Awards.
28 September 2016
Bringing life back to Kā Pūtahi Creek
An ecological survey provides robust baseline information to measure hoped-for stream health improvements in the recently realigned Kā Pūtahi Creek.
19 September 2016
New best practice in managing environmental impacts
Auckland Harbour Bridge adaptive management framework project wins again.
16 September 2016
Senior Boffa Miskell Appointments
We are pleased to announce the following senior appointments within Boffa Miskell, which took effect on 1st July 2016.
13 July 2016
Bledisloe Lane, Waterview Playground and YMCA Camp Adair award winners
Award winners at the New Zealand Commercial Project Awards and the New Zealand Planning Institute Awards 2016.
13 July 2016
Setting the bar high for residential housing to attract the elderly
Creating a pleasant outdoor living environment for the residents at the Mary Potter Apartments to complement the award winning architecture.
30 June 2016
Walk-through aviary advocates wildlife education
A new walk-through aviary was recently opened at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre by the Minister for Conservation, Hon. Maggie Barry.
30 June 2016
Virtual flythrough assists with visualising designs
Drone pilot certification will facilitate increased drone filming on urban design projects.
13 June 2016
Ensuring indigenous design strengthens creative communities
Boffa Miskell was a proud sponsor of Ngo Aho Inc.’s 2016 I Ta Timatanga indigenous design conference.
31 March 2016
Leigh Bull named first female editor for Notornis
The Ornithological Society of New Zealand (popularly called Birds New Zealand), has selected Dr Leigh Bull to be the first female editor of Notornis.
24 March 2016
Cutting edge technology identifies and monitors wildlife using footprints
In partnership with Lincoln Agritech Ltd, our ecologists have helped design an electronic animal detection and identification tool which is now in use in Northland forests.
26 February 2016
Resource management under scrutiny
New Zealand’s resource management, urban planning and development scene is currently under scrutiny. What are these about and what are the timeframes?
24 February 2016
Giving back to the Creative Capital
Boffa Miskell is excited to be an Innovation Partner of the renowned Wellington-based New Zealand Festival 2016, in the year the festival celebrates its 30th anniversary.
24 February 2016
Kindergarten project impresses landscape architecture students
When planning a summer school course, ‘Designing Children’s Environments’, Sue Wake, Senior Lecturer at Unitec’s Department of Landscape Architecture, contacted Boffa Miskell to find an example of a well-designed children’s environment for her students to visit.
22 February 2016
Introducing Dave Moule, first consultant in our new Hamilton office
Boffa Miskell welcomes planner and associate principal, Dave Moule, to help front our newly established Hamilton office.
22 February 2016
2015
Leadership project continues to bear fruit
At Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital in Epsom the kitchen is overflowing as aged residents reactivate their green fingers alongside youngsters in the ‘Garden of Knowledge’ – a legacy leadership project landscape architect Heather Wilkins helped create.
16 December 2015
Natural Character Workshop
Our Landscape Planners were approached by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to assist in the preparation of a workshop on providing guidance around Policy 13 (Natural Character) of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS)
11 December 2015
Sculpture in the Gardens 2015
Boffa Miskell is a sponsor of the Auckland Botanic Gardens’ biennial Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition, which is now open to the public for the summer 2015/16 season.
9 December 2015
Coasts and Ports Conference 2015
Supporting discussion on the issues that affect our coasts and ports
30 September 2015
Move to South Island
We welcome back urban designer and principal, Rachael Eaton, to our Christchurch office.
30 September 2015
Biosecurity partnership wins procurement award
Boffa Miskell and Land Information NZ received the Best Supplier Relationship Management Award at the CIPS Australasia Supply Management Awards 2015.
30 September 2015
Professional integrity recognised
Landscape architect, Frazer Baggaley, was awarded the inaugural M2PP Values Award for ‘Individual of the Year’.
24 August 2015
Independent Directors appointed
Hamish Bell and Greg Barclay have been appointed as Independent Directors to the Boffa Miskell Board.
27 July 2015
Quality outcomes for expressway urban design
As construction of the M2PP expressway on the Kapiti Coast progresses towards its early-2017 completion, the project’s urban design components are being implemented – but not without challenges.
23 July 2015
Senior appointments
We are pleased to announce appointments to Senior Principal, Principal and Associate Principal positions within Boffa Miskell.
22 July 2015
Senior appointments announced for 2017
It is with great pleasure that we announce the following Senior Principal, Principal and Associate Principal appointments within Boffa Miskell, which took effect 1st July 2017.
22 July 2015
Albion Square wins ‘Engaging Communities’ award
Albion Square won the ‘Engaging Communities’ category of the biannual 2015 New Zealand Community Boards Best Practice Awards.
23 June 2015
Introducing Chris Ferguson
New to our Christchurch planning team is Senior Planner, Chris Ferguson, who brings with him valuable knowledge and work experience of the lower South Island.
23 June 2015
Boffa Miskell team releases Project Kiwi’s latest chick
Supporting, protecting and enhancing our kiwi population
19 June 2015
New appointments to leadership team
Boffa Miskell welcomes two new appointments to our partners group - John Potter as a full partner and Janine Bell an associate partner.
20 May 2015
Three projects recognised at 2015 NZ Planning Institute Awards
Three very diverse projects we have been involved in received accolades at the 2015 New Zealand Planning Institute Best Practice Awards.
19 May 2015
Cultural Landscapes – an emerging field of opportunity to work with iwi
At the 2015 New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects’ conference, Boffa Miskell was proud to sponsor the first plenary session, themed ‘Cultural Landscapes’. This provided an opportunity to have a much-needed discussion on ways the profession can better recognise Māori culture in our landscapes and work with iwi and hapū to do this.
21 April 2015
Special Housing Areas on fast track
With the first Special Housing Areas in the Bay of Plenty approved, Boffa Miskell is assisting several landowners and developers through the consenting process, to enable construction as soon as possible.
16 April 2015
Transport study wins supreme award
Boffa Miskell is proud to have been on the winning team that produced the Auckland Transport: City East West Transport Study, which received the Charlie Challenger Supreme Award at the 2015 Resene NZILA Pride of Place landscape architecture awards.
16 April 2015
Return from China
Senior Planner and Principal, Jane Masters, has returned to our Auckland office after four fascinating years living in Shanghai.
14 April 2015
Introducing Jade Wikaira
We are delighted to welcome Jade Wikaira, in the newly created position of Kaiarataki; Te Hihiri – Strategic Advisor, Māori in our Wellington office.
10 March 2015
2014
Te Arai Reserve gifted for public and iwi benefit
How can an iwi rebuild an economic base from its Treaty of Waitangi Settlement land whilst also protecting the land’s high natural and recreational values? For Te Uri o Hau, the solution lies in the approval of a private Plan Change and the gifting of a 196-hectare reserve for conservation and public recreation.
16 December 2014
Auckland urban design panellists 2014
We’re proud that four Boffa Miskell people were recently appointed to the Auckland Urban Design Panel. Between them, Rachel de Lambert, Janine Bell, Lisa Mein and Stuart Houghton will contribute considerable experience in landscape architecture, urban design and planning.
15 December 2014
The Strand Plaza opens in Whakatane
A newly-opened pedestrian plaza, which better connects Whakatane’s commercial centre with the adjacent riverside reserve area, has received accolades from the local community.
10 December 2014
WAN urban design award for Christchurch Blueprint
The Blueprint for central Christchurch, prepared by a Boffa Miskell-led consortium, has won the Future Projects sub-category of the prestigious World Architecture News (WAN) Urban Design Award 2014.
4 December 2014
Royal Honours
Boffa Miskell’s namesakes, Frank Boffa and Don Miskell, have been made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to landscape architecture.
26 November 2014
Sponsoring NZ IceFest
Celebrating New Zealand’s close associations with Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
30 September 2014
Passchendaele remembrance
One of seven poppy shaped gardens being developed at the Passchendaele Memorial Museum 1917, in Belgium, is the New Zealand memorial garden designed by Boffa Miskell.
29 September 2014
SKYCITY Hotel and New Zealand International convention centre concepts
Bringing the vision for New Zealand’s first truly international convention centre into reality
15 August 2014
Ruakura Board of Inquiry Approval
Approval of the proposed Ruakura Development Plan Change was announced in the Board of Inquiry’s draft report and decision of 5th August.
15 August 2014
AIMS Games on the map
For the third year, our Tauranga office is supporting the New Zealand Community Trust’s AIMS Games International Sporting Championships by providing GIS services to upgrade the sports venue and venue location maps.
15 August 2014
Bold directions for inner city transport
How are bold decisions made for future transport needs in already congested city centre streets? – By recognising the need for decisive action, creative thinking, stakeholder involvement and rigorous analysis.
7 July 2014
Shanghai Office Sichuan Field Trip
The Shanghai office travels through world famous landscape and cultural sites.
26 June 2014
Two projects win best practice NZ Planning Institute Award
The Rolleston Town Centre and Foster Recreation Park Masterplans have been awarded Best Practice for the Strategic Guidance and Planning category of the New Zealand Planning Institute’s 2014 awards.
2 May 2014
Two New Associate Directors Appointed
Boffa Miskell is pleased to announce that Landscape Architects, Sarah Collins and Michael Hawes, have been appointed as associate directors.
29 April 2014
Wellington office has moved
Wellington office moves to handsome and strengthened Huddart Parker heritage building.
28 April 2014
2013
Farewell Nicole
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Nicole Sutton while climbing Mt Taranaki with her partner Dr. Hiroki Ogawa.
8 November 2013
Project Kiwi chick release
Precious cargo was carefully transported from Rotorua to the Coromandel Peninsula, by planner Kirsten Hauschild
1 August 2013
International Federation of Landscape Architects’ 50th World Congress
Getting behind this international event - Shared Wisdom in an Age of Change
1 August 2013
Award winners
Our environmental planning and design skills have been recognised in multiple awards this year.
1 August 2013
Boffa Miskell shares top planning award
The supreme award for excellence in planning at this year’s New Zealand Planning Institute’s (NZPI) annual awards went to Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi Trust, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Boffa Miskell for their Ngāti Rangitihi Iwi Environmental Management Plan.
8 May 2013
Landscape award winners
Boffa Miskell was proud to receive seven awards for projects around the country in a range of categories in the 2013 NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Awards, which were announced on 8 April.
9 April 2013
Future Built Environments – 13-14 March 2012
Promoting understanding within the built enviornment
3 April 2013
Looking ahead from Christchurch
The scope of design projects based in our Christchurch office is broadening again as the focus shifts from immediate earthquake recovery to development projects in Christchurch and the South Island.
3 April 2013
Design Recognition
Design well received by Christhcurch City Council in the Breath - The New Urban Village’ design competition.
3 April 2013
New premises for our Christchurch team
After working from two temporary premises the Christchurch team are reunited in Hazeldean.
3 April 2013
2012
Boffa Miskell projects highly commended for urban design
The Talbot Park Renewal Project and the Blueprint for Christchurch were highly commended in the inaugural New Zealand Urban Design Awards© announced on 8 November 2012.
12 November 2012
Shaping New Zealand’s environment since 1972
In our 40-year history, Boffa Miskell has been associated with projects that have influenced change in New Zealand’s urban and rural landscapes.
1 November 2012
Roading Excellence Awards 2012
Boffa Miskell is proud to have contributed to two winning projects in the Roading Excellence Awards 2012: - the Victoria Park tunnel and the Auckland city centre shared space streetscapes.
28 August 2012
Winning use of colour
Two awards for the best use of colour have been awarded to Boffa Miskell in the Resene Total Colour Awards 2012.
24 August 2012
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