NZILA awards three fellowships for 2018
As the 2018 NZILA Firth conference opens - three new fellows have been announced, Brad Coombs, Neil Challenger and Mike Thomas.
Brad Coombs is the incoming president of the NZILA. His citation notes the outstanding contribution to landscape architecture he has made, practicing for 21 years - 15 of those as a registered member of the NZILA. The Isthmus principal has been appointed as a commissioner to several hearings committees including the proposed Queenstown-Lakes District Plan during 2016 and 2017. Brad is said to champion landscape architecture beyond the profession but is not one to 'blow his own trumpet.'
Outgoing NZILA president Shannon Bray welcoming Brad Coombs as an NZILA fellow - April 11 2018
To Mike Thomas “Landscape is more than the green stuff between buildings. It’s the places cities occupy.” Mike is a shareholding Principal at Jasmax and leads a studio of 16 landscape architects. Over his 20+ year career, Mike’s work has centred on the public realm and large transport infrastructure. Mike is seen as a tireless supporter of the industry and has been heavily involved with the Institute since 2006.
Mike Thomas is welcomed as an NZILA fellow - April 11 2018
Through his teaching and research activities Neil Challenger has made a huge contribution to the landscape architecture profession - his greatest influence is in the area of Kaupapa Māori Landscape Architecture. In keeping with the whakatauki “Kaore te kumara e kōrero mo tona reka” (the kumara does not boast how sweet it is), Neil has typically been content to operate primarily behind the scenes, supporting others and ensuring that the momentum of acknowledging and championing kaupapa Māori landscape architecture is maintained. In his citation it was also noted that Neil demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities in the aftermath of the 2009 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, as he has selfessly put the interests and well-being of the community ahead of his own.
Neil Challenger speaking after being introduced as an NZILA fellow - April 11 2018.
