Our People.
Shannon Bray
Managing Partner
Registered Fellow Landscape Architect
B.For.Sc. B.L.A. (Hons)
Shannon has worked on a wide variety of masterplanning, urban design and environmental projects throughout New Zealand. He specialises in evaluating landscape and visual effects, and providing strategic development advice across interdisciplinary teams.
He is an experienced and recognised expert witness, and has presented evidence before Councils, Environment Court and Boards of Inquiry. He is available as an independent RMA Commissioner.
He is a Fellow and Registered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. He has served two terms as president of NZILA, and recently led the preparation of their submission on the proposed Natural and Built Environments Act.
Shannon is currently renovating his Chapman Taylor house with partner Sue, and is looking forward to getting back out into the world of travel.
Lizzie Burn
Partner
Landscape Architect
B.A.S. (Landscape Architecture)
Lizzie graduated with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies in Landscape Architecture from Victoria University in 2016. She has worked on a wide variety of landscape and urban realm projects, working for various regional and national clients. She specialises in the development of strategic plans, visual representations, and the preparation of design frameworks.
Lizzie is an Affiliate Member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, and has recently completed further studies in public engagement.
With a background in hospitality management, Lizzie is naturally drawn to people and skilled in listening. She is a conceptual thinker who is able to bring together ideas in a creative, holistic manner. She particulalry enjoys working on cultural and cummunity driven projects.
Lizzie is currently on parental leave and will be back at work in September 2026.
Megan McBain
Partner
Registered Landscape Architect
B.L.A. (Hons)
Megan has been working as a landscape architect for 15 years. She specialises in conceptual and detailed design, with a particular focus on public open spaces across a wide range of scales. She has great plant knowledge, and a knack for asking really detailed questions.
With a long history working on environmental enhancement projects, Megan has a passion for restoration projects, and for delivering community led initiatives through engagement.
Megan is a Registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, having served on the Executive Committee and as Treasurer.
Megan is a mum to three girls and lives on a Central Hawke’s Bay farm with her husband, Miles.
Liam Hosford
Landscape Architect
B.Des. (Landscape Architecture)
Liam completed his Bachelor of Design specialising in Landscape Architecture in 2008 from Victoria University. He gained the majority of his work experience in London, working on a diverse range of projects both within the UK and internationally.
His professional experience has centered on illustrating & technical modeling of ideas and concepts through to detailed design. With career highlights being involved in the design and delivery of some prominent large public open spaces, commercial developments & train stations within London.
At Wayfinder, Liam focuses on advancing the company’s technical development, creating visualizations, and preparing framework documentation.
Brook O’Donnell
Ngāti Maniapoto
Landscape Architect
B.A.S. (Landscape Architecture)
From an early age Brook had a passion for plants and a love of architecture, and landscape architecture emerged as the winning combination of both. It was inevitable that he would graduate with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies in Landscape Architecture, obtained from Victoria University in 2013.
From European Maori heritage, Brook’s whakapapa is deeply connected to both Taihape and Taumarunui, from which his Ngati Maniapoto and Ngati Haua links originate.
After graduating, Brook headed back to his hometown of Taihape. He established his own business focusing on landscape design and maintenance, and for 10 years has been helping a wide variety of people across Rangitīkei find their green fingers. Having a passion for plants, Brook became the President of the Taihape Horticultural Society furthering his planting and horticultural knowledge.
Brook is an avid traveller and keen gardener, and is looking forward to finding and developing his own green space in his new home of Hawke’s Bay.
Ben Ormsby
Waikato, Maniapoto, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa
Landscape Architect
M.L.A. (Landscape Architecture)
M.Plan.Prac (Planning) B.A. (History & Politics)
Growing up in rural Waikato, Ben formed a strong relationship to landscape through his childhood experiences on the farm and on the west coast.
Ben has whakapapa links to his whānau land through Waikato and Maniapoto, and to Taranaki and Te Ātiawa iwi in Taranaki and Wellington. His pākeha heritage goes back to England and Ireland.
His professional experience is grounded in over 10 years working in planning and policy with iwi and in local and central government including water policy, conservation and transport. In 2022 Ben decided to make a career change into landscape architecture and he completed a Master of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University in 2024.
As a specialist in landscape writing, Ben’s role at Wayfinder covers landscape planning, assessment and other strategic projects. He particularly enjoys projects featuring te ao Māori that allow him to connect with people at place.
Michelle Kelly
Office Administrator
Xero Certified
Certificate in Bookkeeping
As Office Administrator at Wayfinder, Michelle brings over 15 years’ experience in bookkeeping, administration, and business operations. With a natural eye for detail and a calm, practical approach, she enjoys creating structure behind the scenes so the team can focus on delivering great outcomes for clients and communities.
Michelle’s background spans accounting and professional services environments, where she has supported leadership teams, managed payroll and reporting, and strengthened internal systems and processes. While working for Wayfinder, she also remains Director of BookWorx Ltd, a Xero-based bookkeeping practice she has grown into a nationwide service.
At Wayfinder, Michelle takes pride in ensuring day-to-day operations are seamless and well managed. She values being part of a team that supports organisations doing meaningful work in their communities.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys playing squash and is actively involved in supporting local sports organisations. She values the connection, resilience, and sense of belonging that community sport fosters and enjoys contributing to initiatives that strengthen local communities.
Recognition of our work.
- City Nation Place International Awards (London)
Winner Best Placemaking Initiative (Waiaroha), 2025
- NZME Hastings City Celebration Awards
Winner Professional Service Business, 2024
- Datacom Hawke’s Bay Business Awards
Winner Excellence in Innovation, 2023
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
Award of Excellence (Waiaroha), 2024
- Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards
Supreme Award (Waiaroha), 2024
- Water NZ Awards
Environmental Sustainability Award Winner (Waiaroha), 2024 - Best Awards
Gold Pin – Spatial (Waiaroha), 2024
- Best Awards
Silver Pin – Toitanga (Waiaroha), 2025
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
Presidential Award (RMA Advocacy), 2023
- Firth Concrete Construction Awards
Excellence in Concrete Landscaping (Waiaroha), 2025
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
Te Karanga o te Tui (Waitangi), 2019
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
Distinction Award (Pekapeka Wetlands), 2013
- Hastings City Pride of Place Awards
Pride of Place Award (Havelock North Primary School), 2010
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
Silver Award (Flaxmere Primary School), 2010
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
Bronze Award (Havelock North Primary School), 2010
Delivering solutions that reward.
New Zealand Herald, December 2018
It is difficult to stand within Ātea a Rangi and not feel a sense of pride in Maori culture. Is it possible for inanimate objects to have mana, or perhaps it is wairua that emanates from the circle?
Community
Buddy Mikaere, Ngai Tamarawaho
I want to congratulate those who have worked on the Ahi Kaa document - it is easily the best such document I have seen and the detail and reasoning is almost beyond reproach. I really enjoyed reading through the document which is a rarity for something coming out of Council,
Project partner
Tripadvisor, August 2019
Pekapeka is a great example of what community groups can achieve to rejuvenate badly neglected, abused environments. It was a privilege to walk around this area and see flora and fauna thriving.
Community