Get Outside

“Ko au to whenua, te whenua ko au” I am the land and the land is me.

As a landscape architect working within my own practice for over 30 years I am passionate about plants, people and play! I am convinced that the environments we live in impact the quality of our lives as much as we have an impact on our environment. We shape the land, but the land also shapes us!

This Māori whakataukī speaks to me of our connection to the land we inhabit and the importance of our role as good stewards of it. To live in a way that demonstrates this understanding; that we are intimately and directly connected to the land and our actions have a profound influence on the health of it, is essential if we are to protect and preserve our planet for the flourishing of generations to come.

I consider it an absolute privilege to have a role as both an architect of landscape and an advocate of good design, through which I can help to promote our respect for the planet and deepen this connection for all of us who play and learn on it, and especially for our children and taiohi, the future kaitiaki of our world.

NZILA Pride of Place Awards 2015: Finalist in the category of Sustainable Design for The Experience Trail at Waitakere Transfer Station Learning Centre - Experience Trail and Learning Hub By Jill Rice, Get Outside Ltd in association with Auckland Council This clever project integrates education and a vast range of sustainable initiatives to create a holistic and detailed approach to a great community space.

Environment Green Ribbon Awards 2015: Finalist in the two categories of Educational and community leadership and Public Sector leadership for The Experience Trail at Waitakere Transfer Station Learning Centre.

NZRA Outstanding Park Award 2010, Potter Childrens Garden, Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa, Auckland

Gold Award 2004, Mythological Maze of Maui children’s garden - The garden will have a permanent home at the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens from next year.  The Auckland Regional Council entry was one of only three outdoor exhibition gardens to win Gold at this year's Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens.  Designed by Jill Rice, it is an interactive children's adventure garden inspired by the Maori legend of Maui meeting his parents. The maze takes visitors through lush native plants and high ponga walls, where the shady interior gives parents some cool, quiet time while their children explore the tunnels of the underworld.

Ellerslie Flower Show - Bronze Award 2001, A Kindy-Garden!

NZILA Pride of Place Awards, Institutional Landscape Design
- Distinction Award 2013, Tranquil Garden, Rangitoto College, East Coast Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland
- Bronze Award 2008, Redeveloped play space, Mt Eden Kindergarten, Auckland.