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Mitre 10 Young Landscaper of the Year 2008
Regional Finals
Held 14 August 2008, Auckland
Landscape Expo ASB Showgrounds, Hall 3

The concept is to create a competition that will generate interest, inspiration and acknowledgement to young landscapers.

Darren Barrett was announced the The winner of the Landscaping New Zealand Young landscaper of the Year who will now go on to compete in the Young Horticulturist of the Year 2008.

Our Mitre 10 Sponsors with our Young Landscaper of the Year winner
(l-r) Mike Budd (Mitre10), Darren Barrett (YLOY winner), Nat Curnow (Mitre10), Adam Pollard (Landscaping New Zealand Vice-President)

Jack Hobbs (curator ARC Regional Botanic Gardens) our MC for the Young Landscaper of the Year Colin Meads Dinner

Firth sponsored Colin (Pinetree) Meads was the key note speaker at the Expo dinner in conjunction with
Mitre 10 Young Landscaper of the Year Competition speeches

our Young Landscapers with Colin Meads
(l-r) Nick Ball, Erin Farrow, Colin Meads, Darren Barrett, Nicholas Hubbard

Colin Meads and Anita Boundy (Firth)

Darren Barrett with his practical skills test garden

Colin Meads entertained with his anecdotes
past, present and future

YLOY Speech Topic:
"Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - The evolution of landscapes in New Zealand"

CANDIDATE PROFILES

Darren Barrett - First Place Darren is now 24 years old, working with the Auckland landscape company 'Natural Habitats', having been there for six years, completing his NZHITO apprenticeship, and gaining his Level 2, Level 4, and Level 4 Advanced National Certificates in Horticulture (Landscape).
At Natural Habitats, Darren has moved quickly up the ranks from general landscaper to Leading Hand, and now is working as a Site Foreman and Team Leader. Most of his work involves high-end residential landscape projects around Auckland.

Erin Farrow - Runner Up

At 27 years old, Erin has been in the landscape industry for eight years. In 2000, she started a business called 'Glorious Gardens', and ran that as a partnership for five years, before selling her share and completing a Diploma in Landscape Horticulture through Massey University.

She is now self employed working on a variety of landscape projects around Auckland, including design and implementation of landscapes for residential, commercial, and school / early childhood centres.

Nick Ball

Now 23, Nick has been with Auckland landscape company Craftsman Gardener Services since leaving school in 2001. Craftsman Gardener Services have trained Nick through his apprenticeship, which he completed in 2007 with the award of

his Level 4 Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture (Landscape).
In his landscaping career, Nick has worked on a wide range of horticultural and construction projects, and has been commended for his consistent high standards and exceptional results. Nick is now in sole charge of managing landscape projects for the business, and receives high praise from both management and clients.

Nicholas Hubbard

Nicholas is 22 years old, and has been employed with Christchurch company Evolving Landscapes for four years, and now has an apprentice and is working on his Level 4 National Certificate in Horticulture (Landscape).

He enjoys the variety of hard and soft landscape work undertaken, including lawns, paving, decks, ponds, irrigation, and garden maintenance.
As he has developed skills and gained in experience, he has been able to work independently, a real asset for a small business such as Evolving Landscapes.

To Enter you had to be-

	working full-time in the landscape sector (have been for at least 3 years).
	under 31years of age as at the end of December 2008.
	available to come to the Landscaping New Zealand Young Landscaper Final at conference in Auckland on the 14th of August.
	available if selected to attend the grand final of The Horticultural Industry Training Organisation Young Horticulturist of the Year mid to end November.

Come on it will be great fun and a chance to win some great prizes! Every entry that meets the criteria gets a free one-year student membership to Landscaping New Zealand.

Regards
Adam Pollard & Laurie Gallagher
Landscaping New Zealand

THE 2007 HIREQUIP/LIANZ YOUNG LANDSCAPER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

Entrants from Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin competed in Nelson on 22 June 2007 for the title of The 2007 Hirequip/LIANZ Young Landscaper of the Year

Each entrant also delivered their speech at the joint LIANZ/NGIA Conference dinner, held at the World of Wearable Arts, Nelson

The winner, Gavin Lodge is pictured receiving his trophy from Antony Smit of Hirequip, with Adam Pollard LIANZ Training Manager.

Antony Smit from Hirequip congratulates Gavin Lodge, the The Hirequip/LIANZ Young Landscaper of the Year

Antony Smit from Hirequip congratulates Gavin Lodge, the The 2007 Hirequip/LIANZ Young Landscaper of the Year
(l-r Antony Smit, Gavin Lodge, Adam Pollard LIANZ)

Many thanks to our principal sponsor
Hirequip.

Also thanks to:

Morgan & Pollard Landscapes Ltd

Readylawn Industries Ltd

Irrigation and Water

Plant Wholesalers and

HORTITO who have made this event possible.

With our sponsors support and enthusiasm from the entrants this was a great event.