Boffa Miskell

Our core values bind us together. They are deeply held beliefs which we translate into consistent standards of behaviour when working with our clients and each other.

Whānau/Family: We care for and value our people. We will play an active role in the development and wellbeing of our people. We value and foster diversity. We will provide our people with a safe and great place to work.

Whakapono/Trust: We build relationships on trust and mutual respect. We act with integrity, are authentic, and speak the truth.

Kairangi/Excellence: We strive for excellence in all we do. We take the lead and adopt a spirit of innovation and creativity in our work. We operate as one cohesive and collegial business with shared processes and a unified culture.

Ngākaunui/Passion: We care deeply about what we do and how we do it. We care about what we leave behind. We are brave and stand up for what we believe in.

Ngā Tūhono/Partnerships: We develop a deep understanding of our clients’ needs and aspirations. We collaborate to deliver outcomes which add real value to our client projects and the community as a whole.

Our core approach underpins how we work to achieve successful project outcomes for our clients. We believe in having a strong customer focus, an integrated environmental view and solid leadership, communication and collaboration skills. Here is what you can expect from working with us.

Understanding:  Understanding is at the forefront. We begin by listening to what our clients need to achieve and understanding the environmental, political, economic and social context they are working in. We then work together with our clients to develop a clear vision.

Research and investigation:  Before we progress any project, we examine the relevant background, factors and values that are likely to affect the approach and outcome. Time taken to fully understand the project context means all challenges and opportunities of the project are identified and understood. This ensures a robust approach is formed and that time is not wasted pursuing options that are outside of the scope.

Debate:  With our in-house multidisciplinary team we have the ability to propose and debate solutions. Testing options and different ways of achieving project outcomes is key to achieving the best outcome for the project.

Communication:  We believe the success of every project is through clear and consistent communication. This means meetings or briefings are thorough. Any required reports and documentation are comprehensive and easily understood. And timely communication is upheld throughout the project.

Progress: Achievement of project milestones within timely fashion is critical particularly when others rely on our inputs to complete their own. We are focussed on keeping to the programme where this is in our control. We also monitor any change of scope that could significantly affect milestone or project completion. Any potential change is identified and addressed with clients and/or project managers as appropriate.

Boffa Miskell is a 100% employee-owned company, established in 1972, operating throughout New Zealand, with a design office in Shanghai. There are 18 Partners and Associate Partners who are major shareholders in the company. Our enduring mission is to assist our clients enhance the quality, value and sustainability of the natural, built, economic, social and cultural environment and to build a great company which attracts, inspires and grows outstanding people. Our governance and management teams are responsible for ensuring we continue to deliver on our mission.

The Board: Continuing to provide excellence, innovation and integrity in how we work with our clients to shape environments is a key focus for our Board. They are responsible for the overall governance of Boffa Miskell as one company nationally, and internationally.

Technical Leaders: High standards and innovation are key values for Boffa Miskell. Our Technical Leaders work with our people to constantly look for ways to do better and learn.

Office management: Our managing principals and office managers are responsible for office management and the professional leadership of our consultants and business support.

National management: The Management team are tasked with driving the strategic and operational direction of the company.

Established by Frank Boffa in 1972, Boffa Miskell was one of the first specialist landscape architecture practices in the country. It has now grown into one of New Zealand’s leading environmental planning and design consultancies, employing statutory planners, landscape architects, urban designers, ecologists, cultural heritage advisors, and graphics and design specialists. Below are some of our key milestones.

1972: Christchurch Office Founded

1978: Cook Islands Tourism Infrastructure Study. The company's first overseas project

1988: HVDC Transmission Line Study, South-to-North Islands. Major route selection with multi-disciplinary input and innovative computer applications.

1989: Millbrook Resort, Queenstown - Master planning for a resort community and golf course development.

1990: Christchurch Waterways. A new approach to the sustainable management of urban waterways, that transformed drains to environmental assets.

1996: Nusa Jaya New Town, Malaysia. First Boffa Miskell multi-disciplinary team working overseas.

1997: Pegasus New Town, Canterbury. Boffa Miskell designers, planners and ecologists begin work on scoping and concept development for this ongoing project.

2001: Wellington Built Heritage Inventory. Innovative and rigorous assessment of commercial heritage buildings.

2003: Winegrowers of Ara, Marlborough. Boffa Miskell selected as a member of the master planning team for significant Marlborough vineyard.

2005: Auckland City Central Business District Streetscapes and Open Spaces. Work begins on a comprehensive upgrade programme.

2006: Excelsa Village, Papamoa. Planning advice and landscape assessment for the comprehensively designed mixed-use community. 

St Patrick's Square, Auckland. Commissioned by Auckland City Council to design $7.8 million comprehensive upgrade of St Patrick's Square, an important public green space around St Patrick's Cathedral.

2010: Shanghai Project Office Opens

2014: Royal Honours for Frank Boffa and Don Miskell. Frank Boffa and Don Miskell made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to landscape architecture.

We are multi-award winners for over 40 years, our most recent awards from 2019 are listed below:

Award of Merit | Outstanding Project: Recreation Aotearoa Awards. Te Auaunga: Walmsley and Underwood Reserves

George Malcolm Supreme Award: Te Papa Ōtākaro Avon River Park. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Category Winner | Te Karanga o te Tui: Ātea a Rangi, Waitangi Regional Park. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Award of Excellence | Te Karanga o te Tui: NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Category Winner | Sustainability: Te Auaunga: Walmsley and Underwood Reserves. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Category Winner | Urban Spaces: Te Auaunga: Te Papa Ōtākaro Avon River Park. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Category Winner | Infrastructure: Waterview Connection. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Award of Excellence | Residential: Long Bay Residential Development. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Award of Excellence | Project-based Landscape Planning: Waikeria Prison Landscape. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Award of Excellence | Playgrounds: Mara Hupara Playground. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Award of Excellence | Parks: Te Auaunga: Walmsley and Underwood Reserves. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Award of Excellence | Parks: Marine Parade Redevelopment. NZILA Resene Pride of Place Landscape Architecture Awards

Engineering Impact Award: Te Auaunga: Walmsley and Underwood Reserves. Engineering Vision (ENVI) Awards - Engineering New Zealand

Engineering Impact Award: North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery. Engineering Vision (ENVI) Awards - Engineering New Zealand

First Place Award: Dominion Road Flyover Concept Design. Auckland Architecture Association | Public Good Design Competition

Category Finalist | Environment and Sustainability: 3D Mapping for Wilding Pine Control at Mid Dome. New Zealand Spatial Excellence Awards

Category Finalist | Urban Design: Te Ana Waterfront Development, Lyttelton. Property Council New Zealand Southern Excellence Awards

Silver Pin | Public Good Award: Te Auaunga: Walmsley and Underwood Reserves. Best of Awards - Designer's Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)

Bronze Pin | Ngā Aho Award: Mara Hupara Playground. Best of Awards - Designer's Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)

Bronze Pin | Spatial Design – Public and Institutional Spaces: New Zealand Memorial Garden, Passchendaele, Belgium. Best of Awards - Designer's Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)

Bronze Pin | Spatial Design – Public and Institutional Spaces: Marine Parade Redevelopment. Best of Awards - Designer's Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)

Finalist | Ngā Aho Award: Victoria Square restoration. Best of Awards - Designer's Institute of New Zealand (DINZ)

Category Finalist | Economic Well-being: Whitianga Town Centre Upgrade - Stage One - LGNZ Excellence Awards

Highly Commended | Social Well-being: Anderson Park Destination Playground- LGNZ Excellence Awards

Gold Award | Architectural and Urban: Waterview Connection. Good Design Australia

Tripartite Award: Waterview Connection. Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Awards

Bronze Award: Te Ana Waterfront Development, Lyttelton. 2019 NZ Commercial Project Awards

Active Park of the Year: Foxton Beach Pump Track. Recreation Aotearoa New Zealand Parks Awards

Gold Quill Award of Merit | Community Relations: Omāroro Prince of Wales Reservoir. International Association of Business Communicators

Best Practice Award | Strategic Planning and Guidance: Pre-1930s Character Area Review. NZPI Annual Awards