Vocal Tree Advocate Takes 2019 Ronald Flook Award
The Ronald Flook Award was established in 1993 to recognise high standards of practice in arboriculture. Each year the
recipient is selected for their exceptional management of trees. The award is named after well-known Nelson-based
Landscape Architect Ron Flook for his tireless contribution to arboriculture in New Zealand through the Notable Trees
Scheme and the Development of the Standard Tree Evaluation Method. The award also recognised the high standard of his
professional work and the way he used trees as significant features in his landscape designs.
The Award for the year 2019 goes to Stacy Colyer, Auckland-based tree advocate, business owner and consultant arborist
for more than 26 years. Colyer has been one of the preeminent contributors to the growth of the arboricultural
consultancy industry in New Zealand. He is a consistent voice of the industry and has never been afraid to speak-up for
the need to have tree protection in the Auckland region. He was one of the key members in the early 1990s developing the
policy that made up the bulk of the tree protection rules in the Auckland Council’s district plans on the Isthmus and
the Hauraki Gulf Island. One particularly memorable moment in his career was when he organized a full page spread in NZ
Herald campaigning against relaxation of tree rules in Auckland ‘Stop the Chop’.
Colyer has worked hard to grow his own business Greenscene over the last 25 years, setting a benchmark for ethical
approach to business and needs of the tree over the needs of the client. Over that time, his business has evolved into a
multi-facetted green-services business, providing arboricultural consultancy, landscape design and maintenance, training
in horticulture and arboriculture and ongoing support to MPI and their programs of response incursions (Queensland Fruit
Fly).
He has also donated much time and effort to not-for-profit organisations and charities over the years. Colyer was
involved in arranging for the dismantling repurposing and shipping secondhand playground equipment to areas of much need
in the Pacific Islands where they are reassembled for communities in need. He does this in his own time and funds a
substantial part of the work. Stacy has also sat on a number of committees over the years including industry conference
committees, not-to-mention donating time to help organise climbing events, association sponsorship, branding and a
number of other initiatives.
This year’s award was presented at New Zealand Arboricultural Association Annual Industry Awards Dinner at the Napier
Conference Centre on Saturday 16 November at 7.00 pm.
Ends