LANDSCAPE OF DISTINCTION | YOUNG LANDSCAPER OF THE YEAR
Award Winning ProjectsAcross New Zealand
The Landscapes of Distinction Awards celebrate the very best in New Zealand landscaping, recognising excellence across design, build, maintenance, environmental and revegetation projects. Open to professional landscaping businesses of all sizes, the Awards provide a platform to showcase outstanding workmanship, innovation, creativity and technical expertise across residential, commercial and public environments.
With 14 project categories covering everything from residential gardens and large-scale commercial developments to environmental restoration and student design, the programme highlights the breadth and diversity of talent within the landscaping profession.
Entries are assessed by industry experts against category-specific criteria, with projects competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals before progressing to prestigious Premier Awards, including Best Residential Design Project, Best Commercial Build Project, Best Maintenance Project and the ultimate honour, the Supreme Award – Landscape of the Year. More than an awards programme, Landscapes of Distinction is a celebration of professional excellence, providing national recognition, industry exposure and an opportunity to inspire clients, peers and the wider community through exceptional landscape outcomes.
The Registered Master Landscapers Young Landscaper of the Year competition provides an opportunity for talented young landscapers from across New Zealand to showcase their skills, knowledge and leadership potential alongside the industry’s best emerging professionals. Open to all young landscapers, whether or not they work for a Registered Master Landscaper member, the competition challenges entrants across 10 practical and knowledge-based stations, testing their ability to interpret scopes, apply technical expertise and demonstrate professional capability.
Finalists compete in both written and practical assessments, with winners announced at the Awards Dinner, where the industry gathers to celebrate the achievements of Young Landscaper of the Year finalists and Landscape Legacy Award recipients. In 2026, the event will be held at the iconic Christchurch Botanic Gardens on Saturday 19 September, providing a platform to showcase the landscaping profession to the wider community.