MEDIA RELEASE
18 August 2008
Mitre 10 Young Landscaper of the Year 2008 awarded to young Aucklander
Twenty-four-year old Natural Habitats’ employee, Darren Barrett, has just been awarded the 2008 Mitre 10 Young
Landscaper of the Year award.
Darren, from Birkenhead, has been with the leading landscape design and build company for six years, completing his
NZHITO (NZ Horticulture Industry Training Organisation) apprenticeship, and gaining his Level 2, Level 4, and Level 4
Advanced National Certificates in Horticulture (Landscape).
Speaking about his award Darren said: “I was blown away. I was runner-up last year and entered again this year to win;
it’s very exciting.” (see photo attached).
Darren, who started with Natural Habitats as a general landscaper, has moved up the ranks very quickly and is now a site
foreman and team leader in their landscape division.
Darren’s award winning work with Natural Habitats involves high-end residential landscape projects around Auckland.
“I love the variety of work and being outside with nature. We’re always implementing innovative and challenging designs,
which often have our clients’ input,” Darren said today.
“I really enjoy working for Natural Habitats; we’ve got a great bunch of guys and I’m forever learning new skills from
Mike Jack and Mark Read (the company’s two lead designers),” he said.
Managing director and founder of Natural Habitats, Graham Cleary, said Darren’s recognition is outstanding and highly
deserved.
“Darren was runner-up last year and this award is a major achievement for him. Darren has worked hard for this result
and we are all incredibly proud of him,” said Mr Cleary.
Darren will now represent the landscape industry at the Young Horticulturist of the Year in November where he will
compete for a first prize valued at over $22,000.
To enter the Mitre 10 Young Landscaper of the Year 2008 awards people had to be working full-time in the landscape
sector (for at least three years) and be under 31 years of age.
ENDS