A selection of NZ gardens to visit
Unhurried, intimate wedding ceremonies.
At Paterson Park and Gardens, your wedding unfolds in a calm, private setting designed for connection rather than crowds.
With exclusive use of the gardens, your day flows naturally—from ceremony to photographs to relaxed time with your guests. On the hills above Waikaka, Paterson Park and Gardens’ beautiful vistas and spaces will charm you and your guests. Space for post-ceremony drinks & nibbles
Beautiful, natural photo locations throughout.
Heartfelt thanks from both of us for the most magical weekend celebrating our "Happily Ever After". Nestled in the native bush at HUs Boutique Venue & Accommodation, our intimate ceremony with close family and friends was an absolute dream. You went above and beyond as our host, and we’re so grateful. Check out our video reel on the HŪS website — it perfectly shows off the amazing venue and how well it accommodates a winter wedding. All our guests raved about the incredible location, magical setting, and fabulous all-round experience. We highly recommend HŪS to anyone looking for a stunning, intimate venue in Auckland.
Visiting Jules' tropical paradise is amazing. Her knowledge of tropical plants is huge. Each time I visit, she introduces me to plants I didn't know about and will even show me photos of the flowers on her phone. The nursery is beautifully landscaped and an easy walk around. Plenty of parking for cars and buses as well. Well worth a visit.
Thank you for a wonderful visit yesterday to a wonderful garden Anne. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it and I know they will never forget it. Very many thanks,
It was the perfect canvas for our day, and we couldn’t be happier. Helen and Dean, the new owners, were excellent communicators—passionate, attentive, and genuinely excited to share their venue with us.
An AMAZING garden that astonished us all from the time we drove into the palm lined driveway until we left - still shaking our heads about the hard work and vision that we had seen. MASSES of stunning bromelliads ...not usually a fan but I'm a convert now! Wonderful to see superb trees- both native and exotic - and clever plantings.Ann + Graham have created a beautiful ,interesting garden with both skill and foresight....there was always something lovely to see....such a treat.
Incredible use of a medium-sized section giving the impression it is so much larger. The front is full of beautiful flowers and the back has an abundance of fruit trees and vegetables together with an all-weather entertainment area. There are endless surprises with garden art, statues, mirrors and an incredible Tillandsia 'tree' made from driftwood with the plants secured on. Was also very impressed with the well-hidden water tanks. Lots of ideas to take away for my own small section.
Our visit to Rapaura Watergardens was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into another world — a peaceful sanctuary where nature is not just preserved, but truly honoured.
The gardens are crafted with incredible care and intention. Every turn of the path reveals something beautiful: tranquil waterfalls, crystal-clear ponds, lush native plants, and perfectly placed resting spots that invite you to slow down and simply breathe. You can feel the love and vision that went into creating this place. It’s not just a walk — it’s an experience that reconnects you with stillness.
What stood out the most was the atmosphere. There is a deep sense of calm here, almost meditative. The sound of flowing water, the birds, and the surrounding forest create a natural symphony that grounds you instantly. It’s the kind of place where time disappears and you feel fully present.
The staff were warm and welcoming, and everything is maintained to the highest standards
I just wanted to thank you for allowing my twin sister and me to visit your amazing property last week. What an absolute inspiration and delight you are Judy. You’ve kept that dream alive after your dear husband passed and I think it’s keeping you going!! We so enjoyed the experience, swapping our funny gardening stories and seeing your beautiful garden. The photos don’t do it justice but I created a post on my own page, The Uralla Garden. Hope you don’t mind. I used some of the photos from your website but captioned them as such.
Hope you are well and once again thank you Judy
Hi Anne and Ron, Thanks again for the wonderful visit and afternoon tea on the 1st February, all our residents including myself had a great time. Your garden is just beautiful, it was wonderful to see all the love and care that you both put into creating it.
Gardens to visit is a collection of New Zealand's most beautiful gardens that open to the public.
