The design for Mangatahi was to create a formal country garden setting, with links to natural landscape (stone, water etc).

Seasonal changes with colour in the garden, a sanctuary from a busy life, recreation with a pool large enough for lengths, a large kitchen garden.

Inspiration from the local landscape inspired from both the Hawkes Bay rural setting.

The design had to be tailored around existing large tree’s.

Curved lines (reminiscent of the branded river patterns and layering) and contrasting with straight intersecting pathways and lines. E.g. Local stone walls to show the layered river stone terraces. The history of the Mangatahi Homestead was used in the river terrace garden to give character of an ‘old orchard walk’.