Story telling of our built and natural environment

The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora (NZILA), supported by Firth, are hosting the annual Landscape Architecture wānanga in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on 16- 17 May, including a stellar line up of international speakers. The event will bring together the profession and associated disciplines for two days of learning and networking.

The theme is Māramatanga. To Māori, the creation story emphasises the movement of space and time from nothingness and darkness to the world of light – Te Ao Mārama. When Te Ao Mārama was created, the illumination of the world allowed the atua to reach their full potential, creating space for all living things to dwell in harmony. This illumination can be described as Māramatanga. The conference will be two days guided by Te Ao Mārama and Māramatanga.

We will search for wisdom and understanding through our shared knowledge, shining a light on our collective challenges and opportunities, as we navigate climate, social, and political change. We will bring focus to the natural world of life and light, and position the profession of Landscape Architecture at the forefront of our decision making.

The design of the programme is intended to be inclusive and participatory, really leaning into the theme of shared knowledge. The profession of Landscape Architecture is broad so designing content has been about ensuring it’s high level enough to appeal to the membership as a whole, while also ensuring there’s actionable takeaways that can be implemented in practice as soon as delegates get back to the office.

Wānanga programme

The two day program has been divided into four themes that will be explored over our time together.

Theme 1: Mārama Illuminate

"Titiro whakamuri, kōkiri whakamua" Looking to the past helps us move forward

Through stories and narratives, within the dynamic and moving landscape of Aotearoa - like the creation story of Ranginui and Papatūānuku - we can create opportunity to explore and understand how we practice and what contributed to this journey. This theme is focused on shinning a light on our collective challenges to identify ‘Why are we where we are now?’ ‘What contributed to the journey?’ Explore how we enhance our practice locally, nationally, and internationally, and respond towards a regenerative future.

Within this theme, Di Lucas will share the highlights of her 50 years in practice, we’ll delve into our theme, Māramatanga, we’ll explore the impact of storytelling via practitioners of related disciplines, and Marina Cervera, joining us from Barcelona, will give our opening keynote address.

Marina Cervera is a highly accomplished Architecture and Landscape Architecture graduate from the prestigious Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) Barcelona Tech. She holds a Master’s in Landscape Architecture and a Master’s in Urban Research. With a strong foundation in both academia and professional practice, Marina ‘s work spans planning, landscaping, and architecture, showcasing her versatility and design excellence.

Theme 2: Ahutia Develop 

"Werohia te rua, kia puta mai ai te tuna" Reach into uncertainty so that opportunities may emerge.  

The movement of space and time from nothingness and darkness to the world of light – Te Ao Mārama takes us on a journey to develop our understanding as there are challenges ahead, but also so much opportunity to be found. This theme is focused on how we are guided to search for wisdom and understanding through shared knowledge, to develop opportunities that may emerge where we face both gradual and dramatic landscape change. 

We’ll hear from Claire Martin of OCULUS, joining us from Melbourne, and then we’ll break down the challenges and opportunities in sustainability, digital/AI, and codesign from a matauranga māori perspective.  

Claire Martin is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA), a landscape architect, and Associate Director of OCULUS where she has led a range of education, health, and cultural landscape projects. Claire’s contribution to public life centers on better connecting people to their environment and to each other. Join Claire as she shares the challenges ahead and opportunities to be found.

Theme 3: Huaki Uncover 

"He iti te mokoroa, nāna i kati te kahikatea" The mokoroa may be small, but it cuts through the Kahikatea.  

Being guided by Te Ao Mārama and Māramatanga we search for wisdom and understanding through shared knowledge as we are exposed to climate, social, and political change. What is the approach? what is the big picture thinking? and what are the boundaries to push? This theme is focused on uncovering the profession and its opportunity to lead alongside other professions in creating an environment that is an expression of the narratives and associations that provide a unique sense place. 

In this theme we’re pushing boundaries. David Godshall of Terremoto in Los Angeles will give a  keynote address, and then be joined in conversation by Georgina Reid.

David Godshall is a landscape architect, horticultural theorist and leads the Terremoto office in Los Angeles with Jenny Jones. David’s strategic approach to design is inherently rooted in philosophy and the idea that ecology, horticulture and landscape have transformative physical and metaphorical impacts upon a person and a place. David received a Master’s degree Cum Laude from UC Berkeley after receiving a BA Cum Laude from UC Santa Barbara. 

Georgina Reid is a writer and the editor of Wonderground print and online journal, and author of The Planthunter: Truth, Beauty, Chaos and Plants (Thames and Hudson 2018). She’s also a PhD Candidate and sessional academic in the School of Architecture at the University of Technology Sydney. Her essays and poetry have been published in books and magazines nationally and internationally. Georgina lives amongst she-oak trees on the banks of Dyarubbin, the Hawkesbury River.

Jocelyn Chiew and Jason Eade from City of Melbourne will share their journey of embedding truth telling and indigenous knowledge in city design.  

Jocelyn Chiew is an Architect, Landscape Architect and Urban Designer. As Director City Design at the City of Melbourne, she plays a key role in creating and enabling inclusive, sustainable and enduring public spaces. Jocelyn leads the city’s in-house multidisciplinary design practice. City Design plans, designs and delivers council strategies and public works, and provides design review for significant development proposals.  

Jason Eades is a proud Aboriginal man born and raised on Gunnai country in south-east Victoria who brings a deep passion and experience in Aboriginal affairs to his role as Director, Aboriginal Melbourne. Aboriginal Melbourne is a branch within the City of Melbourne that is responsible for working with the Aboriginal community to ensure their needs are heard, respected and influence the delivery of a wide range of Council services and outcomes.

Theme 4: Whakawhiti Engage 

"He waka eke noa" A canoe which we are in, working together as one.  

A Wānanga in Te Whanganui a Tara is the opportunity to bring focus on bringing Landscape Architecture to the forefront of decision making as this is critical to how we respond and innovate as a profession through landscape planning, management, and design. This theme is focused on what are the big areas impacting progress, and how can landscape architecture be part of the solution. With conflicting policies and no simple answers how do we create an environment that that allows the profession to reach its full potential through the engagement with decision making, policy, community and action plans.  

To round out two days of compelling content and inspiration, we will spend the afternoon exploring climate change and policy. Gavin Smith will share his expertise in disaster resilience, and we’ll hear different perspectives on public policy focusing on climate and resource management.  

Gavin Smith is a Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (College of Design) at North Carolina State University. His teaching and research focus on hazard mitigation, disaster recovery, and climate change adaptation and the integration of research and practice through deep community engagement.

The Firth NZILA wānanga is also an opportunity for networking, connection, and exploring solutions. The exhibition provides the delegation the chance to learn about products and practical solutions available to them in Aotearoa New Zealand. NZILA is grateful to our partners and exhibitors whose support makes this event possible. You can learn more about them on the NZILA website.  

There are more exciting announcements to come, including our incredible homegrown talent who will be taking the stage. For more information see the NZILA website or contact events@nzila.co.nz.  

The 2024 Firth NZILA Wānanga will take place in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on 16-17 May 2024. Tickets are available via the Humanitix website, details on nzila.co.nz.