Celebrating 20 years at Boffa Miskell: Katie Chilton

Collaboration and a strong understanding of place characterise Katie Chilton's work at Boffa Miskell. Across public space, education, senior living, and master planning projects, she plays an important role in shaping inclusive and enduring environments.

This year marks a significant milestone for Katie Chilton, who celebrates two decades of contribution to the practice that reflects both the strength of her design leadership and the depth of her experience working across complex and varied landscapes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Katie has led and contributed to projects ranging from sensitive natural landscapes to urban public‑realm environments, often collaborating across disciplines to achieve well‑balanced outcomes.

A consistent theme in Katie’s work has been her commitment to high‑quality public spaces; particularly parks, reserves, and play environments that support everyday use and community connection.

Katie was the project lead for Addington Primary School’s inclusive playground. Guided by a focus on inclusion and accessibility, the project created a series of interconnected play spaces that support children of all abilities and are valued by the wider community beyond school hours. Her pro-bono work on 'Lachie's Garden' at her children's primary school helped create an enduring memorial to a much-loved classmate.

Her master‑planning work includes projects such as the Dolomite Point Redevelopment at Punakaiki, where she led the landscape masterplan for a new Department of Conservation visitor hub, and the Aoraki / Mount Cook Village Spatial Plan, prepared to help guide future development in one of the country’s most iconic settings.

In urban and town‑centre contexts, Katie has played key roles in projects including Albion Square in Lyttelton, now a well‑used community gathering space, and town‑centre and precinct planning projects in Rolleston, Tekapo, Ashburton, and Dunedin. Her contribution to the Christchurch Central Streets and Spaces Design Guide, developed during her secondment to CERA following the earthquakes, continues to influence public‑realm outcomes across the city.

Alongside her public‑realm work, Katie has developed strong expertise in senior‑living environments, leading the landscape design for several Summerset retirement villages, including Summerset Cambridge and Summerset Blenheim. These projects focus on creating connected outdoor spaces that support wellbeing, social interaction, and a strong sense of community.

Katie is a leader within Boffa Miskell’s Southern design team and a member of the Southern Regional Management Team. Her promotion to Senior Principal in 2025 reflects her sustained contribution to the business and the leadership she brings to projects, teams, and the practice. As a Team Manager, she is known for her commitment to mentoring others. She creates an environment of trust and shared responsibility, supporting early-career colleagues to grow their capability while maintaining a strong focus on design quality and collaborative delivery.

We thank Katie for her dedication, professionalism, and leadership over the past two decades, and we look forward to her continued contribution in the years ahead.