Weka Landscaping has proudly taken home a Bronze Award in the 'Commercial Construction Under $500,000' category at the prestigious Registered Master Landscaper, Landscapes Of Distinction Awards 2025 held in Auckland over the weekend.

The award recognises the company’s exceptional contribution to transforming the Monte Christo site on Young Lane, near Clyde, from a commercial raspberry farm into a world-class winery and visitor destination where the landscape plays a central role in expressing the site’s character and heritage.

This national recognition marks the third major accolade for the small but determined Central Otago landscaping company, which continues to hold its own against large firms with teams of 50 or more.

Company founder Andrew Rae started Weka Landscaping in 2014 after working in the landscaping industry from the age of 20. “I went to school to eat my lunch—I didn’t walk away with any qualifications,” Rae says. “But this shows what can come from backing yourself, working hard, and surrounding yourself with good people.”

Those “good people” includes the tight-knit team of landscapers at Weka, the crew at Weka Garden Shop nursery, and a wider support network of mentors, industry peers and an accountant who keeps them in line. Rae credits them all for Weka’s success. “This award really belongs to the team—it’s recognition of what we’ve built together.”

Like many businesses, Weka faced challenges through last year's economic downturn. “It was a tough year, especially in construction, but we’ve bounced back. There’s a lot more confidence out there again,” Rae says.

He also acknowledged the Paris family, owners of Monte Christo Winery, for their vision and investment in the Alexandra Basin, and the many other construction professionals involved in the project, including Annabel at Plot Landscape Architecture. “It was a privilege to be part of a project of this scale and ambition. There was a huge amount of teamwork behind the scenes to bring it all together.”