Wakatipu High School
Landscape Architect Kaihoahoa Whenua
Landscape architects plan, design and advise on the construction of urban, rural, residential and public landscapes. They also manage and conserve natural or heritage landscapes and public open spaces.
Landscape architects have the option of being registered with the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA). Graduates can enter a NZILA mentoring programme to become a registered landscape architect after two to three years of practical work experience and passing an oral examination.
Landscape architects may do some or all of the following:
- study sites to be developed
- develop plans, sketches and models, either by computer or hand drawn
- consult with the public about developments in their community
- work out costs for landscape projects
- develop tenders for construction projects, for example of housing and street developments, and urban parks
- oversee construction works
- advise clients on ways to restore and maintain outdoor areas
- arrange for people to construct outdoor areas
- provide landscape and visual assessments for resource consent applications.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for landscape architects includes:
- draughting work
- work with plants and gardens
- building or landscape construction
- planning or having an understanding of the planning system
- design work or courses
- accounting, budgeting or costing projects.
Personal Qualities
Landscape architects need to be:
- creative and innovative
- practical
- good communicators
- adaptable, with an eye for detail
- able to inspire confidence in clients
- able to work well under pressure.
Skills
Landscape architects need to have:
- knowledge of design principles
- excellent design and planning skills, including drawing skills
- skill using computer-aided design (CAD) and desktop publishing software
- an understanding of how people interact with their surroundings
- knowledge of plants, water processes, soils and climate
- knowledge of different construction methods and materials.
Conditions
Landscape architects:
- usually work regular business hours but may sometimes have to work weekends
- work in offices or studios and on site
- work in conditions that can be noisy and dirty.
Subject Recommendations
A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include design and visual communication, digital technologies, education for sustainability, geography, physics, construction and mechanical technologies, and maths.
Related Course options
Landscape Architects can earn around $80K-$120K per year.
Pay for landscape architects varies depending on skills, experience and where they work.
- Landscape architects usually earn between $80,000 and $120,000 a year.
- Landscape architects with more than 10 years' experience and those who provide specialist services, such as representing clients in the Environment Court, may earn more than this.
Source: 'Hayes Salary Guide 23/24', 2023.
Landscape architects may progress to set up their own business, or move into management roles.
Landscape architects can specialise in a number of roles, including:
- Landscape Architectural Advisor
- Landscape architectural advisors give design advice to public service agencies and councils.
- Master Planner
- Master planners create new developments such as residential suburbs and redesigning urban environments to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Parks and Open Space Designer
- Parks and open space designers create gardens, parks, public streetscapes and playgrounds.
- Resource Management Specialist
- Resource management specialists prepare the information needed to meet council permissions for new urban and rural developments.
- Urban Landscape Designer
- Urban landscape designers create urban areas for both private and public use.
Years Of Training
4 years of training required.To become a landscape architect you need to have one of the following:
- Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
- Master of Landscape Architecture.
It must be from a programme accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA).
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