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GROUNDWORK
"Breaking new ground in our landscape"
May 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 7
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Tim Durrant

Once again New Zealand design talent has been recognised with international acclaim. Landscape architect Wendy Hoddinott has won first prize in an international design competition for a plan which combines installation art, recreation and conservation along Canterbury’s new rail trail. Hoddinott was awarded her Masters degree at Lincoln University in April 2006, received AUS$2000 in the International Federation of Landscape Architecture's (IFLA) Eastern Region Student Awards, announced in Sydney. Hoddinott's entry headed off entrants from the United States as well as students from around the Asia-Pacific region, and her prize adds to a series of successes in IFLA competitions by Lincoln students in recent years.

New Zealand's ‘creative economy’ is taxiing on the runway and our potential to export intellectual property, design talent, and produce more world-class outdoor products and services is grossly underestimated. In this issue I discuss and highlight our talent and explore this huge economic potential.

Buzzy Bee
For many decades the New Zealand psyche has been practical and in general ‘design wise’ lagged behind the rest of the world. What was this national shyness to stand and be seen internationally as creative people? We cringed at our accents on TV, copied international fashion design and architectural trends. But finally now we can withdraw our heads from the long white cloud and smile with real pride at our creative achievements. “Good on ya mate!”

Towards the end of last century New Zealand broke out of a cultural adolescence, coffee went from instant to filter to latte. Pasta, sushi and kebabs are all consumed like they were a staple since, like ya know forever. And we speak with pride of our international movie, music and fashion successes. This is contemporary New Zealand with no shame.
Brai Drain
The term brain drain is bandied about to describe our talent going offshore for greater opportunity and more money. But that does not need to be the case. When I left Denmark in 2001 I was paying 60% income tax and 200% tax on a new car. GST was called MOMS and the standard of living was still high. Don’t ask me how this works, but it does. One of the biggest commodities in Denmark is intellectual property, recognised and supported by their government.
New Zealand is an attractive country, I returned from several years designing overseas armed with the knowledge that New Zealanders take for granted what the rest of the world wants.

So how do we encourage a creative economy, incubate our intellectual property and support our local manufacturers and designers?

Support the Buy New Zealand made Campaign and ask “where the bloody hell do you think your going” to all those so called New Zealanders reported to be moving to Australia for tax cuts.

Below are some landscape products designed and manufactured in New Zealand that are leading the way forward >>
hunza_copper
Hunza have successfully developed this and many other lighting products over the past 12 years. 90% of these products are exported to Europe, UK, USA, the Middle East and the greater south pacific region. These outdoor lighting products are manufactured in Auckland, provide employment to over 40 people and generates a multi million dollar turnover.

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Kiwi Tub
Yes we have featured this before but We love this and we want one! watch this space as this great kiwi invention takes off. Developed and patented in New Zealand it’s like "re-patenting" the wheel.

<< Click image to find weblinks
Pathwaymat
Stonemats are individually crafted at home by a small team of stone weavers who hand harvest this wonderful resource from the rugged West Coast of the South Island. Exported successfully to the UK under licence.

<< Click image to find weblinks

Looking at recent stats from KEA the kiwi expat association about half of the people surveyed were planning to stay away from New Zealand. So if they are perhaps they could help their Homeland by using their business connections to form relationships and create trade opportunities. They are potentially a very valuable resource. Better to use a drained brain than no brain at all.

If you know of a great product, service or enterprise that needs a boost please let us know. And if you love this site please tell a friend.

Kind regards
Tim Durrant
landscapedesign.co.nz Ltd

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