2021 Senior Appointments Announced

Boffa Miskell welcomes eight consultants to the team of Associate Principal, Principal and Senior Principals. These promotions recognise the growth and development of our team, along with the depth of expertise and capability within the company.

Alex Smith (Landscape Architect, Auckland): Associate Principal

Alex has been part of the award-winning design and delivery of town centres, urban streetscapes, aged care facilities, housing developments and reserves.

As part of ‘Team Tenax’, Alex contributed to ‘Whiria’ – one of the entries in the NZILA-sponsored Nohonga Design Challenge, which was selected for installation at Brick Bay Sculpture Trail. He also contributed to the innovative design for a Bio-filtration Garden Forebay Catchpit which was recognised with an Urban Landscape award at the 2021 NZILA Conference.

Dave Parker (Landscape Architect, Auckland): Associate Principal

Dave’s experience in delivering residential and commercial projects includes public realm design, streetscapes, plazas, special housing developments and active transport upgrades. 

Dave was one of the team of three Boffa Miskell landscape architects who re-envisioned transport infrastructure as a public amenity and won the Auckland Architecture Association’s first annual Public Good Urban Design Competition.

Emma McRae (Landscape Architect, Wellington): Associate Principal

Emma has specialist expertise in carrying out landscape and visual impact assessments and landscape sensitivity and capacity studies for a wide range of development types, including residential, energy and renewables, commercial and industrial, mineral developments and the acquisition and disposal of reserve land. ​​​​​​​

Her recent article “Spatial Planning for New Zealand’s Renewable Energy Future” was the cover story of the June 2021 Resource Management Journal. In May 2021, Local Government Magazine published “A Case for Solar Energy“, and she has also been published by the New Zealand Association for Impact Assessment.

Jos Coolen (Urban Designer, Wellington): Associate Principal

Jos is interested in how the sustainability and livability of towns and cities can benefit from the integration of effective transport solutions with good urban design. He was an integral part of the project team for the NZPI award-winning NZDF Infrastructure Master Plans, and also Planning for Residential Amenity which won the NZPI Supreme Planning Practice Award in 2021.

Jos serves on the national committee for the Urban Design Forum and is the Group Manager for Japanese Drumming ensemble Taikoza Wellington.

Julia Wick (Landscape Planner, Auckland): Principal

Julia focuses on landscape, natural character and visual effects assessments. Working within the framework of the RMA and best practice, she has produced evaluations and undertaken peer reviews for projects ranging in scale from single sites up to nationwide initiatives.  ​​​​​​​

Julia is a member of the Urban Design Forum, and Auckland Branch committee member of the RMLA, and recently served as board member and Vice President for the NZILA where she oversaw the National Awards programme.

Louise Saunders (Ecologist, Tauranga): Senior Principal

Louise has particular interest in the design and implementation of restoration programmes for streams, riparian margins and wetlands; and a wealth of project experience. She has prepared assessment of environmental effects for a diverse range of activities including infrastructure, agricultural, industrial, residential, and rural-residential developments.

Louise developed the Riparian Plant Selection Tool for Waikato Waterways, and has authored industry publications such as the comprehensive Manuka and Kanuka Plantation Guide, Tauranga City Council’s Wetland planting and maintenance specification, and Auckland Council’s Caring for Rural Waterways.

Matt Allott (Planner, Tauranga): Senior Principal

Matt is known for his facilitation skills and innovative approach to resource management. He has extensive experience as both a project co-ordinator and a specialist consultant on a range of complex planning and design projects.

He has a comprehensive understanding of the legislative and political processes that influence the manner in which resources are managed, used and developed. As a consequence he has developed a familiarity with the common challenges faced by resource users and administrators alike.