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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.

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.

A buoyant economy means more opportunities for landscape architects 

Over recent years, the number of landscape architects employed has remained relatively stable. The New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects has 600 members and 250 student members. 

A buoyant economy and increased building activity (both residential and commercial) in Canterbury and Auckland, and to a lesser extent in other New Zealand regions, has contributed to a gradual increase in employment opportunities for landscape architects. 

According to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, employment growth of around 5% per year is expected in the landscape architect role until 2018, and 4% per year from 2018 to 2023. 

Opportunities for landscape architecture graduates vary across the country. Some larger firms offer intern or graduate positions, and many self-employed landscape architects provide mentoring.

According to the Census, 984 landscape architects worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Increase your employment opportunities

You can increase your chances of finding work as a landscape architect by: 

• keeping your course focus broad, which will widen future work opportunities
• knowing how to use landscape design software such as InDesign and CAD.

Types of employers varied

Many landscape architects are self-employed, while others work for:

• small private practices of typically less than five landscape architects 
• multi-disciplinary consultancies that specialise in environmental design, planning, architecture or engineering 
• local and central government agencies
• tertiary organisations. 

New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects

0800 843 694 - admin@nzila.co.nz- www.nzila.co.nz

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.

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.