Royal Honours

22 May 2014

Frank Boffa and Don Miskell were honoured for their significant contributions to developing the landscape architecture profession and enhancing the New Zealand landscape. 


Frank, who retired from Boffa Miskell in 2012, was recognised for his contribution to the profession’s establishment and development in New Zealand. He helped set up New Zealand’s first landscape architecture course at Lincoln University in 1969 and was a founding member and driving force in the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. He led the way in private practice, establishing in 1972 the one-man practice that grew into our multi-disciplinary consultancy. He was also recognised for his roles over many years in developing professional practice standards and techniques, acting as a hearings commissioner, advising on academic qualifications and promoting continuing professional education.

Don, who joined Boffa Miskell in the 1970s, was honoured for his many years of leading multi-disciplinary teams on complex environmental planning assessments and large-scale master planning projects with our company. He managed the Boffa Miskell-led multi-disciplinary consortium of consultancies that prepared the Christchurch Blueprint, the high-level spatial planning framework that is key to the Christchurch Central City Recovery Plan. Don is now General Manager, Design and Planning of the Christchurch Central Development Unit, focusing on regenerating the heart of the city.

Boffa Miskell Board Chair, John Goodwin, says Frank and Don were innovative leaders within the company, and long-serving Directors and project managers of numerous significant projects in New Zealand and abroad.

“When Frank and Don embarked on their careers in the 1970s, spurred by a growing awareness of the importance of New Zealand’s environment, landscape architecture was a fledgling profession,” John recalls. “They not only created a highly successful multi-disciplinary professional services firm in ‘Boffa Miskell’ but contributed significantly to developing the profession and to enhancing the New Zealand landscape. As a company, we’re proud that our founders’ achievements have received such prestigious acknowledgement.”