| 79 T T Rosa Watson Alfresco living win One of the stand out features was a circular deck for the spa pool, which involved skirting around the sides with floating concrete steps. Weka Landscaping LANDSCAPING DESIGN What started off as a small job re-building a deck ended up in as an eye-catching outdoor area that picked up gold at the annual Landscapes of Distinction Awards. Weka Landscaping took the prize in the over $100,000 category at the event held by the Registered Master Landscapers in Dunedin in September. Owner Andrew Rae said the category included some large players in the industry.“Which is good because you’re competing against the big guns. It’s just nice to get recognised, but also compete against other businesses.” The project started off small, with the new owners of the property wanting to re-do the deck at the one-year-old house. “It had to be pulled apart and redone.” But the project grew from there. “We got to know the clients and ended doing a full-blown plan.” One of the stand out features was a circular deck for the spa pool, which involved skirting around the sides with floating concrete steps, Andrew said. “(The client) was talking about doing the spa and he didn’t know where to do it. I basically gave him an idea of what I wanted to do at home one day.” Creating the floating concrete steps had been a challenging aspect, but with a template he had already created it came out seamlessly. The whole project took the team eight months to complete. It was an example of a unique design that Weka Landscaping could come up with, he said. “We’re always trying to come up with different ideas where we can. Something new and something different.” It’s not the first time the company has tasted success. They also picked up a gold at the 2021 awards in the under $50,000 category. Weka Landscaping was started by Andrew 10 years ago. He had previously been working for Design and Garden Landscapes in Dunedin. The company has grown to a team of eight including Andrew and his wife, Nicola, and two apprentices. One apprentice started at the company through the Gateway programme and is now a fulltime employee. It could be hard to find staff in the Central Otago region as it was an expensive place to live, he said. He currently had two crews but could always do with another foreman and team. “It’s trying to get people with a bit of knowledge without having to train them up.” He said as the business had grown the projects had grown as the brand became established, with projects spanning into wineries and tasting room. One current project was the development of the Monte Christo Winery that opened in December. The building is an old stone farm building that includes a cellar. The company can carry out a wide range of landscaping services, including tree planting, irrigation, lawn development, retaining walls, shrub and tree planting, and water features. Thoughtful consideration is given to elements such as plant selection, hardscape features, and lighting, aiming for a cohesive and balanced design. The team also factors in sustainability, maintenance requirements, and the integration of local flora in creating plans that capture the client’s vision and harmonise with the surrounding environment. The company recently opened a plant nursery that runs alongside the business, and is in the process of developing it as Weka Garden Shop. “We try to grow as much as we can for the properties we landscape so the plants are hardened for the Central Otago climate.” 03 453 0777 hello@otagoengineering.co.nz 395 Kaikorai Valley Road Dunedin 9011 www.otagoengineering.co.nz Specialists in Balustrades, Gates, Automated Gates, Fencing, Handrails & more! Find us on Tiny Anvil NZ supplies corten and coloured steel landscape features, including our high quality and easy to install modular planters and corten garden edging to landscapers, builders and homeowners across New Zealand. SIMPLE TO INSTALL RUSTIC LOOK ROBUST AND ELEGANT 800 44 55 66 | 02102274438 paula@tinyanvil.co.nz INTERESTED? GET IN TOUCH Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST?
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