PlaceMakers expands landscape sponsorship

Luijten Landscaping’s Kae Combridge beat a record nine finalists at this year’s PlaceMakers sponsored Young Landscaper of the Year Awards – an impressive feat for someone whose entry into the industry was through sheer luck

Based in Auckland, Kae left university after deciding he didn’t want a career that would see him stuck inside all day. After working several different jobs, a chance phone call to Dan Mackay at Ministry of Ground led him to his dream job.

“I did a week’s trial and absolutely loved it. I spent another two years working there before moving to Luijten,” says Kae, who credits his win to his well-rounded skill set and the support he received from the Luijten team.

“I don’t think it was any particular talent that got me across the line. Working with veterans of the industry, I’ve gained good practical skills and knowledge. I’m also aware of my own limitations and knew my weaknesses in the lead up to the competition; with the support of my mentors here, I was able to turn them into strengths.

“I hadn’t been involved with any quoting before and was unable to read site plans properly. One of our directors, Greg Dreyer, personally showed me how he works out quantities and costs from plans.”

As part of the final, entrants had to complete a series of written and practical tests and make a three-minute speech at the Registered Master Landscapers conference, where Kae was named 2018 Young Landscaper of the Year.

Now that he has found his calling, the 25-year-old says he isn’t planning to make another career change any time soon.

“My future ambitions are to be a team leader at Luijten and encourage the next generation of young landscapers into this great industry. I’m already working on ways to get more youth involved.”

As part of his prize pack, Kae received a Makita drop saw from Placemakers and automatic entry into the finals of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition.

Landscapes of distinction

PlaceMakers further strengthened its relationship with the landscaping industry by sponsoring the Landscapes of Distinction Best Construction of the Year Award, which was won by Bill Holden  –Design and Landscape for their impressive work at Matakana Garden.

Bill says the Auckland-based owner’s brief was to create an attractive garden on the pond banks and a paved outdoor patio area next to the pool.

“The inspiration for this garden came mainly from the coastal location and the predominance and reflective quality of the pond,” says Bill. “It presented us with the opportunity to visually integrate the pool with the surrounds. Terracing of the sloping area invited the inclusion of large local quarry rocks, softened using low growing coastal species and subtropical plants for colour.”

He says the main constraints were the instability of the ground for the pool, and the water run-off towards the pond from the large catchment of the site.

“A geotechnical report stipulated that large piles had to be driven into the ground to support the weight of the pool – this work was all organised and overseen by us. Large strip drains had to be installed beside the pool room, along with re-contouring and drains uphill of the pool area to take care of surface run-off during heavy rain.”

Any companies wishing to join the Registered Master Landscapers should contact Noel Brown at business@masterlandscapers.org.nz

Bill Holden – Design and Landscape won the PlaceMakers sponsored Landscapes of Distinction Best Construction of the Year Award. Local rock was chosen to deliver a ‘sense of place’ for the Matakana Garden project.