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 […]
Olivia Conroy
Olivia is an outdoors enthusiast who is passionate about using geographical thinking to tackle issues relating to equity, sustainability, and resilience. Prior to joining Xyst, Olivia worked as an Outdoor Guide, before transitioning to a career in Local Government, and then Open Space planning consulting. Olivia has experience in developing and implementing community engagement plans, […]
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 […]
Level 3 Comprehensive Playground Inspections
Tararua District Council Over three days Xyst visited community playgrounds in Dannevirke, Pahiatua, Eketāhuna, Woodville, Norsewood and other rural communities to conduct the comprehensive inspections. Xyst gathered data on the assets at each playground and carried out 90 individual inspections. For each site, we compiled a detailed report highlighting any areas of non-compliance with the […]
Remutaka Cycle Trail Wayfinding
Xyst reviewed the existing signage along the Remutaka Cycle Trail, identified inconsistencies and gaps, and developed a comprehensive wayfinding plan. This included a full audit of current signs, mapping of decision points, and the design of a unified signage system. The plan details types, locations, and content for new signs, including plinths, blades, bollards, and […]
Lake Alexandrina Signage Review
Xyst carried out a comprehensive signage review at Lakes Alexandrina and McGregor to improve the clarity of messaging, reduce signage pollution, and consolidate information from the thirteen different groups involved in managing the area. Over time, the volume of signage had created confusion, duplication, and significant visual clutter. Our role was to collaborate with all […]
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 […]
Management Agreement
Mainpower Stadium Xyst worked with the Waimakariri District Council and the North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust to review the operating model for the indoor stadium and worked with both parties to develop a more sustainable model. This ensured that the public and stakeholders received high quality service, the asset was well maintained and it […]
Play Value Assessments
Xyst completed a comprehensive assessment of over 200 playgrounds and skate facilities to evaluate their overall play value. As part of this project, we developed a set of agreed service levels to guide the appropriate scale and type of development for each playground category. These service levels helped define key elements, such as: • Target […]
Tree Inventory Update
This project is assisting Whakatāne District Council with the implementation of a Tree Risk Management Plan, which sets out an inspection regime for public trees across the municipality. Firstly, Xyst assisted Council to refine their existing inventory dataset. Tree assessments were then undertaken using Councils internal GIS database, and included tree condition and tree risk […]
Western Hills Trail Signage
Assessment and Recommendations Report The Xyst team walked and geo-spatially mapped all 15 tracks that form part of the network, assessing the route, timing, gradients and ground conditions as well as identifying existing signage and assessing the quality of such. Xyst then developed recommendations for new signage, identifying the location, sign type and content of […]