
About Nichola
Nichola has nearly 30 years’ experience in the landscape industry after graduating from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Hons) in 1994. Her experience includes design and project management of projects in the residential, commercial, resort and large scale urban planning market throughout New Zealand and the Middle East (where she lived and worked for five and a half years).
Nichola currently sits on the Board of Trustees for the New Zealand Garden and Arts Festival Trust and has also spent time on the National Executive for the NZ Institute of Landscape Architects. She has been a contributing writer for numerous professional publications. After spending time in both the private and public sectors Nichola started her own landscape practice in 2013 focusing on personalised service in the residential market.

As well as maintaining a successful business Nichola and her husband Charlie spend their spare time with their two active boys around the local sport fields as coaches and supporters. They live a busy lifestyle and enjoy hitting the local beaches and great outdoors. They are hands-on in the family garden and intend to use their skills to develop their new property in the Bay of Plenty.
Nichola has also spent time on the National Executive for the NZ Institute of Landscape Architects and as a contributing writer for numerous professional publications. After spending time in both the private and public sectors, Nichola started her own landscape practice in 2013, focusing on personalised service in the residential market.
After a move from Auckland to the Bay of Plenty in 2016, the family purchased a franchise of Zones Landscaping where they have worked with clients in the Bay of Plenty to create bespoke properties. In December 2023, Nichola made the move to focus on her passion for design by forming NVLA, offering a full range of independent landscape architectural services.
Read more about Nichola's experience in her Curriculum Vitae here.
Professional Involvement
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Board member Board of Trustees NZ Garden and Art Festival Trust 2021 - Present
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Garden mentor BOP Garden and Art Festival - 2020, 2021, 2022
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Concept garden contributor BOP Garden and Art Festival - 2018, 2020, 2022
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Co-Editor Landscape Section – Architecture Plus Magazine 2002 - 2005
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Portfolio Holder, Executive Committee, NZILA 1998 - 2000
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Member Editorial Panel – Landscape New Zealand Magazine 1997 - 2000
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Committee Member NZILA Auckland Branch 1994 - 2000
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Advisory Panel Member – Unitec Landscape Architecture Degree – NZ 1998 - 2000
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Graduate Rep Portfolio Holder, Executive Committee, NZILA 1993 - 1997
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Member Organising Committee NZILA 2000 National Conference “Café Ecology”
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Member Organising Committee NZILA 1998 National Conference “Collaborateurs”
Community Work
We are passionate about giving back to the community and have been fortunate to be involved in a number of community initiatives including being part of the BOP garden and art festival as a garden mentor, feature speaker, concept gardener and member of the Board of Trustees.





Nichola is available for garden talks and has been a speaker for a number of garden clubs. Nichola is also a keen contributor to educational facilities and has helped establish landscape projects for local Kindergartens, schools and day care facilities.
Professional Publications
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“Bright Lights, Tower City” Architecture Plus, 2003
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“Urban Escapism” Architecture Plus, 2003
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“A Sense of Place” Architecture Plus, 2002
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“Podium Landscaping” Architecture Plus, 2002
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“Employing a Landscape Architect” Home and Office, 2001
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“Of Lattes and Libertia” Landscape New Zealand, 2000
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“Smales Farm” Landscape New Zealand, 1999
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“When is a Mainstreet not a Mainstreet” Landscape New Zealand, 1999
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“Playgrounds” Landscape New Zealand, 1999
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“Poor Man’s Totara” Landscape New Zealand, 1998
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“A User’s Guide to ...Bluestone” Landscape New Zealand, 1998
Some of these written under (maiden name) Nichola Williams