About
“Plans are nothing: planning is everything”
D. Eisenhower
Welcome to Evolve.
Evolve was born from a desire to offer professional Planning and Landscape Architectural services in a rapidly growing region. Business Founder, Kylie McLaughlin-Brown, is revitalising the industry with her ‘one-stop’ approach and vast experience. Wearing several hats for her clients, she covers landscape architecture, resource management and planning, across projects in both the private and public sector.
From Mangawhai headquarters, Evolve operates throughout New Zealand, predominantly in the Auckland and Northland Region, including the Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara District.
As the name reveals, Evolve is a consultancy that stands for progress, growth and ‘getting things done’ - all guiding principles Kylie brings to her role as founder and managing director.
Part of her motivation for launching Evolve was a commitment to building strong relationships with clients and industry peers. “Communication is everything. From delivery timeframes and getting results – it’s vital to stick to promises, manage expectations and talk through any issues as they come to hand.”
From the seed of an idea, through to approval – the statutory requirements can feel overwhelming and complex. Evolve clients collaborate with just one person across their project, a business approach which is proving to be streamlined and rewarding. Kylie also calls on a trusted network of external consultants as required, including ecologists, surveyors, engineers, architects, archaeologists and consultation with iwi - but at all times, she is the lead voice for her clients.
Get in touch to see how we can evolve your next rural, residential or commercial project - we look forward to working with you.
Nice to Meet You.
Meet Evolve Founder, Kylie McLaughlin-Brown.
From a young age, Kylie was passionate about geography and drawing. By high school she had her career mapped out! It would follow one of two paths; planning or landscape architecture. True to her word, she completed a degree in Landscape Architecture, but not content to finish there, she went on to achieve a Masters in Planning.
Early in her career, Kylie worked at Whangarei District Council as a Policy Planner and was involved in district plan changes and strategic policies relating to coastal and landscape issues. She understands the intricacies of Council, having also worked as a consultant landscape architect for both Kaipara and Whangarei District Councils.
In 2006, Kylie moved into a senior role with an established firm in Mangawhai. For 12 years she worked across small to large scale rural and residential development, including private plan changes, subdivisions, land use consents, streetscape design and landscape visual assessments.
Along with this, Kylie has extensive Master planning experience for primary schools and Councils. She has also attended Council hearings as an expert witness for both the private and public sector and understands the workings of Environment Court mediation (both as a planner and landscape architect).
Kylie believes the biggest respect Evolve can offer is sensitive development - undertaken in a manner that is responsive to the natural and physical attributes of the landscape, while being economically beneficial.