
For the first time ever, the Registered Master Landscapers’ annual investment in young industry talent – the Prebble Young Landscaper of the Year competition – will be held in Wellington!
Held at The Dell in Wellington Botanic Gardens, the event showcases the abilities of the best young landscapers in the industry by challenging competitors in a series of practical and theoretical events across a range of expertise.
“Registered Master Landscapers (RML) is committed to investing in and supporting the professionalism of the sector and the quality of work our members deliver, which is why we host this competition. It’s a great way to encourage some of the country’s top talent to round out their areas of expertise and take their skills to the next level, to be crowned Young Landscaper of the Year,” says RML Board chairperson, Janet Clarke.
“There’s a lot more to landscaping than some might realise – which is why we recommend using a Registered Master Landscaper when it comes to your landscaping requirements.”
Putting on a show
In addition to the invaluable experience being provided to the country’s top ten contenders, the publicly accessible venue affords an opportunity for members of the public to come along and watch these talented practitioners.
“This event truly touches on almost every aspect of landscaping, and it’s fun and interesting to watch,” says Clarke. “From digger operation to placing paving to irrigation and plant identification, there’s plenty to keep spectators entertained.”
Not that competing will be limited to the contenders! Sponsors have organised a number of competitions for the public to take part in as well, including mini-putt, basketball, colouring-in and jellybean counting!
In it to win it
Young leaders from around the country will be vying for the top title, and their expertise and experience suggests it will be a tight competition. There are a number of top-notch contenders, including Wellington’s own Kale Huddleston from Sole Landscapes and Izaac Mirfin from Ridge Projects.
Kale has put in the hard yards with Sole Landscapes and, in less than three years, progressed from labourer to site foreman and completed his Level 3 and Level 4 NZ Certification in Horticulture – Landscape Construction.
“He’s has been a valuable member of our team for a few years now,” says Sole Landscapes director and Board member Jono Sole. “There’s no problem too hard for Kale and this is shown by his willingness to learn and improve. I have no doubt he will be a strong competitor.”
Another young local with three years’ experience, Izaak has a background in horticulture and has embraced hardscaping since coming on board with Ridge Projects.
“The passion to become better at my craft inspires me daily. I think I’m a great candidate for this competition as I manage a small team from day to day, creating art in the backyards of Wellington.”
Landscaping ladies in it to win it
Not that the local lads – or any of the guys – will have an easy time taking the title. For the first time in years, there are two women competing, and both would love to be the first female to named Young Landscaper of the Year.
“Being able to showcase women in landscaping in a very public setting is a really important to me and a big part of why I entered,” says Mania, who is Second Nature’s Senior Team Leader for Garden Care and has worked in landscaping for six years.
“I want to go up against the guys and prove to myself that I belong in this industry – and to win the whole competition!”
Mania will be joined by Kristen Gill from Sculptural Landscapes in Christchurch, who agrees that strong representation of women in the industry is vital to its future and is equally pumped for the competition.
“It would be great to potentially inspire other young women like myself to get into a really rewarding and exciting industry like landscaping.”
Benefits extend beyond competition day
For many previous winners, the award stands as a defining moment in their young careers, putting them in a position to learn more and take the next step in their team and the wider industry.
Many have since gone on to start their own business and leave their mark on the industry.
As Clarke succinctly puts it: “This event is an investment in the whole of the industry, encouraging its future leaders. It reflects the level of professionalism we expect of our members, and the level of professionalism people who employ a Registered Master Landscaper can expect.”

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Dinniss Communications I Meagan Robertson
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