Ten tradespeople, working at speed, right in front of you. Watch machinery being handled with real precision, decking and paving going up from scratch, and plant identification tests that separate the experts from the rest. Because the stations run at the same time rather than one after another, you can wander the gardens and drop in on whichever skill catches your eye.

At 1.00pm, the tools go quiet. Each of the ten finalists speaks for three minutes on who inspired them and how they hope to inspire others.

Communication is one of the skills being judged all day, not just at the microphone. A landscaper who can explain a plan clearly, ask the right questions and keep a client in the loop is the difference between a project that runs smoothly and one that doesn’t, and you’ll see that tested at every station, not only during the speeches.

Beyond the competition itself, there’s plenty of room to make the day your own. Some visitors will plant themselves at one station, watching each finalist take their turn at the same skill, whether that’s paving or plant identification. Others will circle the gardens, catching a few minutes of several disciplines as the finalists rotate through. Either way works, and there’s no wrong time to arrive.

Entry is free, the setting is Christchurch’s Botanic Gardens, and the day runs rain or shine. Bring the family, wander at your own pace, and stop by the trade and supplier stalls for games and prizes along the way.

The event is held beside the Visitor Centre café at Christchurch Botanic Gardens, an easy walk from the Armagh Street car park. Full parking and accessibility details are in the Getting There tab.

Every station is proudly supported by a business or training provider from across the industry, each one testing a different skill finalists need to master.

01. Machinery Operation supported by Norwood
Safe operation, control, accuracy, technique and practical machine handling.

02. Trailer & Tools, supported by STIHL
Tool selection and knowledge, safe use, loading and securing equipment, and trailer handling skills.

03. Soft Landscape Setout, supported by Elliotts Wholesale Nursery
Plant selection, preparation, set out, planting technique, establishment and aftercare.

04. Lawn Installation, supported by Readylawn
Ground preparation, lawn installation, establishment and aftercare.

05. Profile Setout, supported by DEWALT
Reading construction information and accurately setting out profiles for a deck build.

06. Design, supported by Playground Centre
Responding to a brief and developing a practical garden design concept under time pressure.

07. Irrigation Set Up, supported by Wetta Industries
Constructing a basic irrigation system and applying technical product and installation knowledge.

08. Plant Identification, supported by Kiwiflora
Identifying plants correctly using botanical and common names and demonstrating horticultural knowledge.

09. Paving, supported by Firth
Product knowledge, preparation, accurate set out and correct paving installation technique.

10. Hardscape Construction, supported by One Stop Deck Shop
Practical construction, material selection, fixings and best practice installation.

A. Finalist speeches, proudly supported by StraightCurve
1.00pm to 1.45pm. The only time all ten finalists are together during the public competition day. Each has three minutes to speak on “Who inspired you, and how will you inspire others?”

C. Supplier and Trade Stalls
Alongside the ten competition stations, visitors can explore the Supplier and Trade Stalls area and meet the businesses, training providers and industry supporters behind professional landscaping.

This year’s field represents some of the best emerging talent in New Zealand landscaping, with competitors from Auckland down to Otago representing businesses of all sizes.

Between them, they represent apprentices, leading hands, foremen, project managers and business owners, with pathways into the trade ranging from school leavers’ programmes to career changes and study in horticulture and landscape architecture.

Ben Malpas, Espaso Verde, Hawke’s Bay
Benjamin Lamond, Greenscapes, Canterbury
Christian Cox, Luijten Landscaping, Auckland
Connor Sullivan, Canterra, Canterbury
Joe Hagley, Southern Landmarx, Otago
Lachlan Bensemann, Forever Green, Canterbury
Luke Brinkmann-Kroemer, Diva Landscapes, Otago
Richard Brahne, Second Nature Gardens, Auckland
Taumata Lowe, OTERA Landscapes, Auckland
Taylor Allsop, Readylawn Industries, Canterbury

As 2019 winner George Trower reflects, the competition gives you exposure to the wider landscape industry – and teaches you to step outside your comfort zone, because that is where growth happens.

We want to thank all the entrants.  The judges deliberated for some time to come up with the ten finalists, so we encourage those that did not make the finals to follow the competition and look to re-enter next time.

Jarod Anderson, Anderson Landscapes
Wins the Prebble 2024 Young Landscaper of the Year Award.

Outstanding Achievement Awards:

Taumata O Te Ra Lowe, Luijten Landscaping
Communication

Sean Pearless, Sculptural Landscapes
Leadership

Jarod Anderson
Softscape Practitioner

Ryan Harris
Hardscape Practitioner

What a weekend! Wellington turned it on for the Prebble Young Landscaper of the Year competition on Saturday 21 September, leaving more than a few attendees suitably sun kissed.

With a theory exam on the Friday, and ten practical stations on the Saturday – including a speech and an interview – all ten contestants put their best foot forward, making it a tight competition. There were only 13 points (out of a total of 1,400) between first and second place!

Back Row L – R:
Taumata Low, Ryan Harris

Caleb Washington
Wins the Prebble Seeds Turf World 2023 Young Landscaper of the Year Award.

Ben Hurley
Runner up

Cooper Mildenhall
2nd Runner up

Amandeep Singh Brar
3rd Runner up

Supporters, sponsors, and people from throughout the industry all gathered at Nichol’s Garden Center in Ōtepoti | Dunedin to cheer on contestants from around Aotearoa | New Zealand  as they competed for the title of Young Landscaper of the Year for 2023!

Beyond the practical components of landscaping, the contestants had to complete written tests, interviews and perform speeches to an audience of judges.

Cash prizes were handed out to the top three contestants along with various tools and products provided by their sponsors.

RESULTS
Outstanding Achievement Awards;

Emerging Leadership – Sam Fisher, Luijten Landscaping
Innovation – Dillyn van der Merew, Natural Habitats
Career Development – Amandeep Singh Brar, Natural Habitats
Construction – Cooper Mildenhall, Espaso Verde Landscaping
Communication – Sam Fisher, Luijten Landscaping

Back Row L – R:
Michael Dudley, Amandeep Singh Brar, Dillyn van de Merwe, Caleb Washington, Cooper Mildenhall, Ben Hurley

Front Row L – R:
Lauchlan King, Tyla May, Sam Fisher