Business South June 2021

| 103 Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? LANDSCAPING Weka Landscaping Alexandra firm scoops national award T Richard Loader The gold medal award winning project embraced a hilly site in Alexandra, with the total land area encompassing 800sqm. Earnscleugh Quarry - McPherson Road Powers Pit Quarry - Hawea Flat Parkburn Quarry - Lowburn, Cromwell Jack: 021 350 869 • www.roadmetals.co.nz PARTNER TO PROUD SUPPLY JAKIMM PLACEMAKERS CROMWELL 4 MURRAY TCE | (03) 445 9202 WEKA LANDSCAPING A chieving a Gold Medal in the Registered Master Landscapers 2021 Landscapes of Distinction Award is another step in the journey for Central Otago’s Weka Land- scaping Ltd. Recognising outstanding performance in landscaping practice, the annual Landscape’s of Distinction Awards are the highest accolade of professional recognition in the industry. Weka Landscaping’s award was for Residen- tial Project – Construction under $50k. Based in Alexandra, Weka Landscaping was founded by Andrew and Nicola Rae in 2014 with projects of varying sizes undertaken throughout Otago. Andrew says ever since establishing his own business it has been an ambition to enter a project into the awards. This was Weka Land- scaping’s first entry. “Entering the awards gives you the oppor- tunity to benchmark your projects with other landscapers’ projects and to see where you can lift the quality of your own workmanship. In completing the entry forms. “We also wanted to paint a pretty picture about Central Otago, showcasing its natural beauty, so that it stood out against other entrants throughout the country. “We talked about the natural Central Otago stone that is on the property and how it be- longs to Central Otago’s natural landscape.” The landscape construction project em- braced a hilly site in Alexandra that the client had recently built a new home on. The total land area encompassed 800sqm. Weka landscaping was engaged to construct exposed aggregate footpaths, natural rock stairs, gabion baskets, planting, a lawn and install an irrigation system. While Andrew often undertakes his own landscape design, on this occasion he chose to work with Michelle Snodgrass Landscape Architecture for the project’s design work. “The hilly site already had natural rock and we worked around that with paved areas. The whole project was pretty special to do and featured a large rock at the upper level of the property. A curved exposed aggregate path ties in with the Poolburn schist stairs leading from the large rock and gabion baskets down to a paved area and then down to the lawn in front of the house — so there are three levels to the property.” Andrew says achieving the Gold Award pro- vides his clients with a high level of confidence about the standard of work provided by Weka Landscaping and that his team will deliver value for money. “We always look after our clients and if the final cost comes in less than the quote we pass that benefit on to the client. “I think people can see the pride in what we do and realise we are good at what we do.” While Andrew has had a couple of breaks from his landscaping craft over the years, he has always ended up missing what he is really passionate about doing. “No day is ever the same and there is enor- mous variety. Most clients have a passion for their gardens too. “There is a huge amount of pride in the work you do and seeing the end results that are achieved. “We get a lot of pleasure in the client’s satisfaction for the work that has been done on their gardens, which is often transforma- tional.” Nicola and Andrew Rae receive their gold medal award in the Registered Master Landscapers 2021 Landscapes of Distinction Award