In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Neville, NZILA Registered Landscape Architect and Director of Neville Design Studio. Richard’s work is grounded in regenerative design and a deep respect for the relationship between people and land. Driven by a belief that landscapes can reconnect us, both with nature and with each other, Richard creates spaces that are both meaningful and enduring.

An award-winning landscape architect, his work spans residential, rural, community, and commercial projects, and has been featured in several magazines, including Landscape Architecture Aotearoa. Alongside his practice, Richard is an active voice in the industry, most recently delivering the keynote at the 2025 New Zealand Gardens Trust Conference, sharing his perspective on how our cultural relationship with land and gardens is evolving.

In this episode, we explore:

• Richard’s background and passion for nature
• What led him to landscape architecture
• Landscape architecture as an interconnected system of ecology, people, and place
• The evolution of the discipline: from controlling nature to embracing wildness, beauty, and ecological complexity
• Rewilding gardens—why less paving, fewer lawns, and more plants create healthier, more resilient spaces
• How small, everyday moments in nature can have a lasting impact
• The ecological and human benefits of thoughtful landscape design, and how it fosters a deeper connection
• Richard’s work in schools and the importance of openness, curiosity, and unstructured interaction with nature
• Our relationship with Papatūānuku, and why biodiversity is essential for life
• The power of positive storytelling in reconnecting people with the environment
• Practical ways to bring nature into daily life, even in small or urban spaces

To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.

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