Ōpunake, Manaia, and Hāwera

ŌPUNAKE

Ōpunake is an art-filled seaside destination halfway along the iconic 105km stretch of road known as Surf Highway 45.

MANAIA

Manaia has been nicknamed the “bread capital” of NZ because it is home to world-renowned Yarrows Family Bakers.

HĀWERA

Relax in one the town’s picturesque parks or visit the famed Tawhiti Museum with its life-size figures.

7. Gravetye

60 Manawapou Rd, Hāwera, 4610

Jenny & John Pease

Gravetye is a formal garden that celebrates the simplicity of mass green planting. Wander along the mixed border, pass the sunken vegetable garden, the reflection pool, the pleached limes & the laburnum arch, which all radiate from the house.

The immaculate lawns are bordered by carefully designed hedging. You will also see sculptures, plantings of iris, roses and lavender. The garden was designed and planted by the owners. Ice cream tubs available. ‘Gravetye Garden Cottage’ is fully selfcontained accommodation & sleeps 3.

EVENT: French Café-style Jazz by La Mer Saturday 28 October, 11am

Open 9.30am–5pm, admission 1 ticket (proceeds of garden entry to Cancer Society Taranaki) P 06 278 5422 / 021 1760 820 E jjpease@yahoo.com

8. Sanderson Garden

1961 South Rd, Kaupokonui, 4678

Elaine & John Sanderson

This garden is truly a sight to behold. Rated five stars by the New Zealand Gardens Trust, visitors will find expansive lawns with stunning views of the mountain and winding paths for tranquil strolls.

The unique sculptures and accents add a touch of sophistication to the garden, set against vibrant garden beds featuring lush hostas, beautiful maples, and romantic roses.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket

P 027 4999 491 E elainesanderson1961@outlook.com

9. Oakley Garden

79 Normanby Rd, Manaia, 4678 (refer to map) Jenny & Guy Oakley

Festival stalwart and trained horticulturist, Jenny Oakley has had her garden open for the full 36 years. Just 2km from the exposed coastline, her towering shelter-belt hedges are an important characteristic for the thriving garden. Features brick walls and pillars, cottage style plantings, early flowering roses, a vegetable potager and the remarkable hanging baskets for which she is renowned. Plants for sale and complimentary tea/ coffee. Featured in Home and Garden magazine and NZ Gardener.

EVENT: Mitre 10 Garden Speaker Series (see page 58)

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket

P 06 274 8060 / 027 634 3784 E guy.oakley@xtra.co.nz

10. Tairoa Lodge

3 Puawai St, Hāwera, 4610

Linda & Stephen Morrison

History and beauty combine to create the ever-graceful Tairoa Lodge. Surrounded by sweeping lawns with towering kauri and pohutukawa, it was featured in NZ House & Garden. Tairoa Church Hall Café will be open serving coffee, wine, cabinet food and its famous Ploughman’s Lunch.

Artwork by Celeste from Celebration Platters. House & Garden Tours on 28, 29 Oct & 1 Nov at 2pm. $25pp (garden entry & Champagne Cocktail). Book direct with Tairoa Lodge.

EVENT: Christmas Wreath Making (see page 53)

Open 10am–4pm, admission 1 ticket

P 06 278 8603 E info@tairoa-lodge.co.nz W tairoa-lodge.co.nz

11. Puketarata Garden

14 Ngawhini Rd, Hāwera, 4674

Jennifer & Ken Horner

A country garden folding quietly around its hilltop site, with mountain and inland Taranaki views. Generous herbaceous plantings, lawn tennis court, perennial border, orchard, berry house, vegetable garden, enhanced by the wider landscape. Natives skilfully blended with exotic varieties giving seasonal variety, is a particular strength. Adjacent to the outer ramparts of 400-year-old Puketarata Pā and Kāinga Keteonatea, both having major significance to the area. The gully below has a QEII Covenant, with natives, exotics and walking tracks. Complimentary tea/coffee available and family picnics welcome. Featured in the NZ Gardener Magazine.

EVENT: Introduction to Botanical Drawing (see page 50)

EVENT: Mitre 10 Garden Speaker Series (see page 57)

Open 9.30am–5.30pm, admission 2 tickets

P 021 278 3081 E info@puketaratagarden.co.nz

W puketaratagarden.co.nz

12. Sullivan Garden

283 Matangarara Rd, Hāwera, 4672

Peter & Neryda Sullivan

The Sullivan Garden began as an asparagus paddock and over 25 years, has transformed into a curvaceous creation. This Hāwera beauty is plump with roses and rhododendrons (about 150) and ablaze with azaleas. Curved paths and clipped hedges provide definition and form, while sweeping lawns frame views of Taranaki Maunga. Cottage plantings, pots brimming with flowers and foliage along with garden art, help create vistas throughout. This property featured in NZ House & Garden and NZ Gardener magazines.

Open 9.30am–4.30pm, admission 1 ticket P 027 292 6886 E nerydasullivan@gmail.com

13. King Edward Park

Cnr Upper High St and Waihi Rd, Hāwera

South Taranaki District Council

A nationally significant garden, the ancestry of the park (est 1902) is seen in its charmingly formal design. The lofty close clipped hedges give shelter to abundant azalea, rhododendron and rose collections. Adding to the history are aged trees, a century old model boating pond and a bronze statue of Wendy, which is the companion piece to the Peter Pan in London’s Kensington Gardens. The 150-year-old cannon has been a favourite toy for children, along with a pirate ship and fort. Seek out some of the hidden features along pathways or bring a picnic to seated areas.

EVENT: Jazz Soiree with The Starlights (see page 54)

Open All day every day, free admission

P 06 278 0555 E contact@stdc.govt.nz

W southtaranaki.com

14. Glascroft

23 Scotland St, Patea, 4520

Julian & Olivia Shimmin

Glascroft is a coastal garden informed by the arts and crafts movement in the grounds of a turn of the century villa. Inspired in part by Gertrude Jeykyll, 11 garden rooms unfold before you. Key plantings include 120+ rhododendrons and 60+ roses. Vistas border and merge with the Norfolk Island pines and pohutukawa of the historic Patea Cemetery.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket

P 027 7111 828 (Julian) / 027 242 6129 (Olivia)

E jshimmin77@gmail.com