Welcome to the Garden Design Society
The Garden Design Society aims to inspire its members, and to support them in providing excellent design services for their clients.
It grew out of an informal group of designers, meeting back in the 1990s, seeking to create a professional support network / organisation for garden designers. The group was formalised as the Society by staff and senior students at the Unitec Department of Landscape and Plant Science in 2002.
With a healthy membership base and a vibrant programme of activities each year, the Society is thriving. We have access to a wide range of speakers, field trips, garden visits, master classes and conferences, both here and in Australia.
As the current Chair, I think the Society can feel proud of the calibre of designers who choose to belong to the Society. Our recent rounds have accredited a growing number of younger designers and landscape architects, who find the Society supports them in their practice of garden design. The priorities for my term are to encourage more members to become accredited and to support them in raising the level of professionalism in their practice.
Our fabulous Events Team balance up this professional goal with lots of opportunities for collegiality, fun, and good times for our community of practice. We owe them a huge vote of thanks.
Please get in touch if you would like to join us
Latest News
2019 AGM - JUNE 18th
The societies AGM is here with a full agenda.
The ever talented Zoe Carafice will also be talking about the XWD garden in France - Rangimarie. An opportunity not to be missed.
WHEN: Doors open 6:45PM for 7PM start
WHERE: Eden Community Church, 72-74 View Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland
Pechakucha 2019 - TUE 16th JULY
Just us for our annual Pechakucha night of fun.
WHEN: Doors open 7PM for 7:30PM start
WHERE: Eden Community Church, 72-74 View Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland
Lecture Series: Philip Smith - AUG 15th
Join us for a fascinating talk by Philip from O2 Landscape as he shares some of his work.
AUCKLAND GARDEN DESIGNFEST 2019
Back for the 5th edition on 16th & 17th November.
Click here for all the details and to purchase your tickets >>
NEW Accredited Members for 2019
Big congratulations to Alex McClew (Designer) and Antoinette van der Weerden (Academic) for becoming the latest accredited GDSNZ members. Profiles to come.
HIKOI Japan Trip 2019
HIKOI take another trip to Japan in 2019 with new destinations - Walking the Nakasendo Way through "old" Japan.
WHEN: 28th Sep - 13th Oct 2019
Contact HIKOI here for more info
Moorish Garden Tour - 9th - 31st May 2020
Head off and see the delights of Moorish Gardens through Morocco, Spain & Portugal with our Academic members Penny Cliffin and Ian Henderson of HIKOI Tours.