Meredith Dale, urban strategist at Auckland-based firm The Urban Advisory was recognised by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZBGC) as the 2021 Future Thinker of the Year for her “passion and clear vision”.

“I’m humbled and excited to be the Future Thinker of the Year for 2021,” Dale said while accepting the award. “I look forward to making new connections, learning from others and seeing how we can work together to build the low carbon future we want and need.”

Coming from a background as a civil engineer in both the public and private sectors, Dale joined The Urban Advisory in 2019. The Urban Advisory was set up by Dr Natalie Allen, who serves as director along with co-founder Greer O’Donnell. Dale helped develop a report that Dr Allen co-wrote for the University of Auckland on behalf of The Urban Advisory on the sustainability of the Hobsonville Point neighbourhoods.

Prior to joining The Urban Advisory, Dale worked for local councils in Auckland, Christchurch and the Greater Wellington area, along with a two year period as a civil engineer at Thomas Consulting. In accepting her Future Thinker of the Year award, Dale referenced a need for urban design practitioners to “work together, across disciplines and sectors to develop a shared vision for what kind of homes, neighbourhoods and cities we want and need in New Zealand”

The NZGBC Future Thinker of the Year programme is now in its third year. The jury this year was made up of architectural designer Jade Kake of Matakohe Architecture and Urbanism; associate principal at Warren and Mahoney with a focus on sustainability Fiona Short; sustainability leader at Mott McDonald Warner Brunton; head of retail management at Bayleys Michael Gillon; and last year’s Future Thinker of the Year Tessa Myer of Panuku Development.

Brunton noted, “It is essential to bring this diversity of ideas and experience together to create necessary change and I would encourage all of our finalists to collaborate with Meredith Dale and use their voice over the next 12 months and into the future”

Dale was named winner at a ceremony held at the Auckland University of Technology’s School of Future Environments, where Tessa Myer congratulated Dale on winning the 2021 prize:

“I’m honoured to pass the baton on to Meredith and to have heard from our other incredible finalists. Meredith will be an inspiring, highly knowledgeable and courageous ambassador for the Future Thinker’s and I am excited for her to use this platform to share her passion and ideas”

Dale’s fellow finalists were Negin Imani, founder of Biomimicry New Zealand, Sophia Olo-Whaanga, Social Responsibility Manager at Dempsey Wood Civil, and Madison Fleming, an Architectural Graduate with Jasmax.

Learn more about the Future Thinker of the Year programme and all of this year’s finalists at nzgbc.org.nz and watch Dale’s winning submission video below.