URBAN DESIGN · PLANNING · LANDSCAPE · ENVIRONMENTAL

Planning and design
for resilient places.

Understand the potential of land, respond to natural hazards and plan for a changing climate. We bring planning, design and spatial insight together for government, councils, iwi and developers.

Discuss your project →   Our projects →

A scenic promenade with a mosaic-tiled pathway and a small palm tree. Several people are walking along the path, which leads to a unique structure with a golden dome. Sailboats are docked in a marina on the left. The scene has a playful architectural
Illustration of a cross-section of a natural area labeled 'Bush Remnants,' showing existing trees and vegetation with areas marked as 'Nga Here Extension,' human figures in blue for scale, and birds flying above.
Colorful mosaic wall and blue dome

OUR FOUR DISCIPLINES

Planning, design and environmental expertise.

Four disciplines, informed by local knowledge, consultation and the needs of each project.

Urban Design

Shape homes, streets and shared spaces through masterplans, urban design assessments and design guidelines.

Whirinaki: papakāinga masterplanning →
Street typologies: people, trees and water →
Goodland: urban design guidelines →

Planning

Assess feasibility and changing planning requirements, prepare consent documentation and coordinate engagement and specialist input.

Whirinaki: first 12 homes consented →
Ngahere Framework: policy into practice →
Goodland: resource consent support, ongoing →

Landscape

Connect people, water and biodiversity through landscape concepts, planting strategies and tree infrastructure plans.

Te Huruhi: landscape for learning →
Te Ararata: tree infrastructure planning →
Pukekawa: planting and management strategy →

Environmental

Use GIS, remote sensing, blue-green network assessments and monitoring to guide investment in nature and climate resilience.

Central Library: living roof monitoring →
Aotea Centre: nature-based solutions feasibility →
Tāmaki Makaurau: tree planting priorities →

Explore our services →

Detailed site map showing land use zones, including existing and new plantings, wetlands, orchards, roads, walkways, paddocks, permitted building areas, and bat protection areas. Includes labeled features like Marked Rock, Pa Site, and areas marked f
Colorful brick walkway with railings surrounded by lush greenery and blue sculptures under a clear blue sky.
Architectural landscape illustration with trees, silhouettes of people, a bicycle, car, and birds in the sky.

FOR GOVERNMENT

Put policy into practice.

Turn policy and strategic goals into planning frameworks, design guidance and spatial assessments that project teams can apply across sites.

Ngahere Framework: national guidance →
Kāinga Ora: open space guidance →

FOR COUNCILS

Make investment count.

Prioritise work across catchments, streets and public assets. Spatial analysis, feasibility studies and monitoring help you weigh natural hazards, healthy waterways, biodiversity and community needs.

GD19: stormwater and tree guidance →
Central Library: living roof monitoring →
Tāmaki Makaurau: planting priorities →

FOR IWI & HAPŪ

Your aspirations. Your direction.

Planning, design and technical support for papakāinga, whenua restoration, climate adaptation and economic development. We work alongside iwi and hapū, supporting their priorities and leadership.

Whirinaki: papakāinga and economic development →
Te Ahiwaru: spatial and design support →

FOR DEVELOPERS

Know what your site can become.

Test development options against planning provisions, site constraints and potential hazard exposure. Bring masterplanning, urban design, landscape and consent support together as your proposal develops.

Whirinaki: first 12 homes consented →
Goodland: planning and design, ongoing →

Wildflower garden with white daisies and purple flowers.
Man with a beard and plaid shirt riding a bicycle, carrying a leather bag in an urban setting.
A city park with benches beneath trees, a clock tower, and modern buildings in the background.

RECENT WORK

Research, guidance and regional planning.

Living roof opportunities and recommendations

Auckland Council · TR2026/9 · September 2026

Local evidence and recommendations for living roof uptake in Tāmaki Makaurau. Led by Zoë Avery and Jonathon Avery with mana whenua, council, research and industry contributors. Our work included expert consultation, document delivery, design and imagery.

Living roof project →   Published report →

Structural soil tree pits · GD19

Auckland Council · Published November 2025

Guidance connecting stormwater management with healthy urban trees. Co-authored with Tektus, with expert consultation, document delivery, design and imagery by The Urbanist.

GD19 project →

Blue-green networks

Auckland Council · Regional framework development ongoing

Connecting waterways, vegetation and public spaces to inform restoration, access to nature and climate resilience. Recent work includes regional framework development, a Tātaki Auckland Unlimited venue portfolio assessment and a Manurewa assessment informing street-tree planting priorities.

Spatial and environmental services →

Forest & Bird logo, featuring a tree silhouette with wildlife imagery, and the text "Forest & Bird," "Te Reo o Te Taiao," and "Giving Nature a Voice."

OUR COMMITMENT

Resilient urbanism.

Ki uta ki tai. From the mountains to the sea.
Land, water, ecosystems and communities are connected. Our regenerative approach seeks to restore ecological function, strengthen biodiversity and support healthy communities across the catchment.

We aim to reduce travel and resource use in our own practice. Our past support for Forest & Bird includes donations in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Let’s discuss your project →