Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas is a Principal and landscape architecture lead at Jasmax, with almost 30 years’ local and international experience. Working on many of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Aotearoa New Zealand, Mike’s career is a testament to the role of landscape architecture in transforming the identity and experience of urban environments through the integration of nature and natural processes. 

Recent projects include the transformation of Dunedin’s Retail Quarter, George Street, into a pedestrian-friendly retail destination and the design of Wellington’s Golden Mile, shaping it into a walkable and green street network, connecting the capital’s retail, arts and entertainment precincts. Each of these projects weave history and mana whenua values and narratives into the public realm, all designed to reveal authentic stories of place. 

Landscape architecture proved to be a critical component in the regeneration of Ōtautahi Christchurch city centre where Mike played a significant role in the post-quake rebuild of the public realm and transportation network through city-shaping catalyst projects such as An Accessible City, Putahi Whakatetonga South Frame and the CTV Memorial. 

Mike is a longtime member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel. Registered in New Zealand and Australia, his commitment to the profession of landscape architecture is recognised in his appointment as a Fellow of the NZILA, where he has also participated as Auckland Branch Chair and Registration Panel Chair. He currently sits on the NZILA Accreditation Panel.