COMMUNICATION IS KEY

ONCE AGAIN, WE WILL BE RECOGNISING AND CELEBRATING THE EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION DEMONSTRATED IN LANDSCAPE PROJECTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AT THE 2023 LANDSCAPES OF DISTINCTION AWARDS

Janet Clarke Registered Master Landscapers Board of Directors Chairperson

As this issue of NZ Landscaper goes to print, RML will have just completed another series of Regional Meet-ups around the country, providing the opportunity for our members to connect with others in their region, and engage with current issues affecting the landscaping industry

Joining us as keynote speakers for these recent Meetups were representatives from Primary ITO, the organisation responsible for the vocational training for our industry. Under the recent government reform of the polytechnics, it has now become part of Te Pukenga and our Meetups provided an opportunity for Primary ITO to share with our members how this will impact, financially and practically, on those involved in training apprentices.

Because of the diversity of our membership – from designers through to builders and amenity horticulture specialists – engaging directly with Primary ITO was of great value, as we were able to raise concerns regarding the relevance and sufficiency of content to cover all our training needs. As our industry sector grows and the requirement for a trained workforce expands, our need for better and more widely available training increases.

Training is an important element in the delivery of a quality product and the projects that are honoured in the Landscape of Distinction (LOD) Awards are testament to the excellence and innovation offered by our members. In 2023, RML will again provide an opportunity for the landscaping industry to celebrate and promote the quality of its workmanship to the wider public through the LOD Awards. Entries are now open, so find out more about how to enter – and why you definitely should – on page 14.

We consistently receive positive feedback about NZ Landscaper magazine, but are nevertheless always open to new ideas about subject matter, so feel free to get in touch with suggestions for topics you would like to see explored by emailing editor@nzlandscapermag.co.nz