Harry Turbott
In1968 Harry Turbott (1930–2016) designed Freemans Park’s much-celebrated and loved grounds.
“Harry’s design intention was to soften the appearance of Freemans Park’s completed buildings, especially the star blocks, which were painted white and set in bare ground. He was faced with a limited budget and poor ground conditions. He says he chose hardy plants that would establish well in the climate, the existing soil, and the expected maintenance policy. The planting also had to withstand the pressures of wind and children playing.”
Associate Professor Matthew Bradbury
Lead - Landscape Architecture Programme
Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand
Harry was the first person to teach landscape architecture at a New Zealand university, and went on to establish the country’s first multi-person landscape architecture practice. He was also the first landscape architect to work the length and breadth of New Zealand, the first New Zealand-based practitioner to work overseas, and the first in the field to meaningfully embrace Pasifika and Māori culture in his work.
Harry was a true pioneer – a man of strong beliefs and actions who dedicated his life to forging better relationships between people and the environment.
After completing a Master of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University in 1958, he returned to New Zealand in 1961 with an active link to North American environmentalism and created a place for architecture to engage meaningfully with landscape. The resurgence of environmental design thinking in New Zealand today draws heavily on his approach and achievements, many of which were decades ahead of their time.
In 1968, Harry developed a modernist design for Freemans Park’s grounds. He envisioned a resilient, low-maintenance landscape with a distinctly park-like character. Favouring a restrained planting approach, he aimed to minimise the visual clutter and reduce maintenance costs. The implementation of his landscape design began later in 1968 and was completed by 1971.
Source: Garth Falconer, Harry Turbott – New Zealand’s First Landscape Architect.