Lan Yuan - Dunedin Chinese Garden is an authentic example of a late Ming early Ching Dynasty scholar’s garden and celebrates the Chinese influence on Otago's history and heritage.

Over a century old, this large garden surrounding historic Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula is at an altitude of 300 metres. The scenery is spectacular and though the garden is subjected to wind and low rainfall it contains a unique collection of plants seldom seen elsewhere. Some remnants from the original plantings 120 years ago - Cupressus macrocarpa, planted extensively for shelter and a cedar to one side of the castle - give an air of maturity. The plantings reflect the owner's interest in New Zealand plants and in their southern hemisphere relations.

The Giant’s House sculpture mosaic garden is colourful, exuberant, interactive, romantic, fun and full of surprises. It is set on a sheltered, north-facing, sunny hillside in a valley in Akaroa, 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch. The garden surrounds the large historic house owned by the first BNZ Bank Manager and built from totara and kauri. There are flat areas around the house and terraced gardens gently wind up the hillside. Contrasting historic with contemporary art and balancing gardens with sculptures, it is a unique creation.

Ōhinetahi consists of a number of formal rooms, of differing style and character, arranged about two axes running east-west and north-south in the arts and crafts style. The formal lawn beside the house, has curved macrocarpa hedges at one end, balanced by a pool and pool house.

Flaxmere is a North Canterbury high country garden sitting beneath the main rib of Southern Alps. This large 7 acre garden is boldly designed to make the most of alpine views with strong axes and cross axes focussing on the surrounding mountain and pastoral environment. Heavy old bridge timbers and stone walls reflect a country atmosphere, and a feeling of peace & romance abides here, amidst dramatically changing seasons.

Greenhaugh Gardens surround a colonial homestead built in 1874. Mature trees give the two-hectare property its bones, and a summer house allows the garden versatility. Box-hedges curb the romantic exuberance of Austin and old roses, perennials and self-seeding annuals whilst a central French fountain adds a soundscape of natural music. A pergola, clad with wisteria, rambling roses and clematis leads through a tapestry of bearded iris and from there the garden visitor is naturally led to the ‘creek bed’ and Mediterranean gardens beyond. There is a hint of an African theme in parts - a nod to the owner’s love of travel, and the garden holds a balance of structure and creativity.

Gwavas Garden was laid out in the 1880s by A.S.G. Carlyon. Phyllida Gibson, the present owner, is the 5th generation at Gwavas and she and her husband Stuart live in the homestead, built in 1890, surrounded by 9 hectares of woodland garden.

Olveston is an authentic and original historic home depicting the life of a wealthy merchant family in the early part of the twentieth century.

The garden commenced in 1990 but is maturing rapidly due to the mild, almost frost-free climate. The Higgies have specialized in exotic flora to produce a landscape like no other in New Zealand.

Omaka Lodge is a large country property featuring 3 beautiful acres of landscaped gardens. View a wide range of interesting planting, the 33-metre Rill overlooking Mount Hikurangi, and expansive countryside vistas. Onsite accommodation allows exploration at leisure.

One of the oldest botanic gardens in New Zealand, this central city garden was established in 1868. The major conifer species which are a feature were planted then as part of a programme to import plant species and assess their economic potential to the new colony. The very large specimens of Pinus radiata that dominate the landscape were grown from the first seed of that species to be imported from California.

Renowned for its beautiful trees, the Christchurch Botanic Garden, part of Hagley Park, dates back to the early 1860s when the first plantings were made. The garden is flat and easily explored with an information centre, tea kiosk and all facilities.

Casa Rossa has been developed over 20 years around a former shingle pit. The movie “Much Ado about Nothing” inspired the Italian house and garden design.

The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga garden is one of the oldest New Zealand European gardens south of the Bay of Islands. Originally created by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) between 1834-1844, as were The Treaty House gardens at Waitangi. Both The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga and The Treaty House Gardens retain some of the in situ, Maori and European cultivated vegetation with considerable archaeological landscape content. The landscape archaeology is now perhaps the most valuable resource to be preserved for understanding more fully the history of this place.

Woodlands Historic Homestead, Gardens & Function Centre is a garden of rare historic, and landscape interest. In 1870 it began as the centre of a vast 98,000 acre farming enterprise from whence the first butter was exported - under the Anchor brand. The neo-Gothic homestead was built in 1875 and the many fine trees planted a year later.

The Quarry Gardens are a spectacular sub-tropical oasis in the heart of Whangarei. Since the 1990s it has been transformed from an abandoned commercial quarry into the flourishing garden it is today because of the dedication of local volunteers and gardeners. As an ever changing community project it continues to grow and offers new experiences with every visit.

Pukeiti is located adjacent to the National Park - on the slopes of Taranaki. It features many kilometres of well-formed tracks for either a garden walk or a longer adventure into the rainforest. Wonder at the beauty of the world-class rhododendron collection, sense the history and learn the stories of the land.

Paripuma is a large 20 year old garden developed from a barren, windswept beachfront; and based around a formal design and vista across Cloudy Bay.

Italy is the inspiration behind this grand formal garden, with its statues and fountains, and Corinthian columns reminiscent of Tivoli. Brick walls and hornbeam hedges create many garden rooms, featuring old fashioned roses, citrus, lavender and olives, alongside an English orangery.

Nestled in the vineyard five hundred metres away from her sister garden Welton House, is Eliza’s which, after a decade of carefully thought out restoration, is ready and open for garden visitors. But better still - stay overnight in the award winning three bedroom cottage and enjoy the garden and swimming pool in total privacy.