Open Space Park Furniture Inspection
Condition Assessment Willoughby City Council were keen to undertake a comprehensive condition assessment on open space park furniture across the Council-managed parks and reserves. The purpose of the engagement was to obtain open space asset condition data for future renewal planning. The work involved detailed field inspections and verification of all existing asset data, identification […]
CPTED Site Assessments and Reporting
This project involved travelling to Matamata, Morrinsville, and Te Aroha to complete the physical CPTED site assessments for three public toilets and three parks across the district. Each visit included a structured walkthrough of the facilities and surrounding environments, supported by detailed note‑taking and comprehensive photographic records. Following the assessments, individual reports were produced for […]
Shade Audit
Bunurong Memorial Park The project involved undertaking a comprehensive shade audit at Bunurong Memorial Park to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of both natural and built shade for customers and staff. Xyst undertook observations of radiant light across the site and its materials to understand how light behaves (bounces) within different spaces. This approach enables […]
Playground Surface Impact Testing
Wellington City Council Xyst conducted surface impact testing under all playground equipment (with a Free Height of Fall above 600m and/or forced movement) across 22 playgrounds, over a period of 7 days. Testing results were recorded including HIC value and Gmax. Xyst provided Wellington City Council with full results for individual playgrounds, as well as […]
Scot Hedge
I am a highly experienced manager with over 25 years’ operating within environmental, recreational and operational services, in both the public and private sectors. My experience includes management of strategic and operational planning and projects, development and implementation of capital works programs, environmental management of construction activities, and delivery of maintenance programs for public open […]
Tom Nicholls
My background and passion is in horticulture and open space design. I have had over 15 years’ experience in landscape design and construction, from being a landscape apprentice to small business operator. With these tools I have furthered my education in sustainable landscape design and project management, adding to my desire to design and build […]
Kirsty Huxford
I have worked in environmental policy and planning for 20 years, including roles in local government and for iwi organisations working on a wide range of environmental projects and programmes. I have extensive experience supporting partnerships between iwi and local/central government particularly in statutory processes. I support clients to work through complex processes associated with recreation […]
Bi-Annual Service Contract Compliance and Performance Review
A bi-annual compliance and quality performance audit was conducted for the City’s 2 major service contracts for Open Space Maintenance and Amenity Tree Maintenance. The audit process included a forensic review of monthly contractor reports, previous audits, and past performance evaluations. Field inspections were also undertaken by Xyst Consultants to assess the quality and effectiveness […]
Water Features Risk Assessment
Xyst visited all 17 public water features within the scope of the project to assess risk. Xyst made site specific observations, detailed the risk at each site and made recommendations to reduce risk. These recommendations were then incorporated into the wider Water Features Maintenance and Improvement plan, helping to prioritise actions and allocate budgets for both […]
Water Features Maintenance and Improvement Plan
Xyst was engaged by Napier City Council to undertake a strategic assessment of the city’s 19 water features, which play a vital role in shaping Napier’s public realm, cultural heritage, and civic identity. The project aimed to evaluate the operational performance, financial sustainability, and future viability of these assets in light of increasing environmental pressures […]
Ashburton District Public Conveniences
CPTED and Accessibility Assessment Report Xyst assessed 39 operational facilities over a period of a week in Ashburton, Methven, Rakaia, Tinwald, Hinds and Mount Somers townships as well as in more rural and remote areas such as Mayfield, Lake Hood, inland including the Ashburton Lakes and the Rakaia, Hakatere and Rangitata River Mouths. The assessment […]
Westshore Esplanade Toilet
Performance Reassessment and Recommendations Report Xyst conducted a physical facility assessment using ArcGIS Survey 123 based on best-practice criteria. We then analysed high-level community input and considered the existing location along with two other alternative locations for a renewed facility. We considered key feasibility criteria for siting, including resource consenting and proximity to services and […]
Neighbourhood Reserve Consultation
Xyst implemented the Consultation and Engagement Plan developing an online survey and advertising a community drop-in session to gather the community’s aspirations for a neighbourhood playground. This was a targeted engagement approach with flyers (advertising the drop-in session and the survey via a QR code) delivered to residents living within a 10-minute walk of the […]
Matthias Smink
Working as a Landscape Architect for over 7 years, in both New Zealand and Switzerland, I have gained significant experience and expertise on a wide variety of projects including master planning, infrastructure projects, commercial, single- and multi-residential and subdivision developments, stormwater management, revegetation and naturalisation projects, public parks and reserves, at a range of scales. […]
Mangawhai Open Space and Facilities Needs Analysis
Xyst was engaged by Kaipara District Council to assess provision of open spaces and recreation facilities in Mangawhai for the next 30 years. We assessed current and future needs due to population growth. We used the PlaceChangers online tool for spatial analysis of different types of open spaces and recreation facilities. This was supplemented by […]