Ōhinetahi, Heritage gardens and historic house in Governors Bay, New Zealand.
Ōhinetahi is an estate featuring formal gardens organized around two main axes that divide the space into distinct rooms and zones surrounding a restored historic residence. The 1.25-hectare property displays carefully planned arrangements of lawns, plantings, and pathways that guide visitors through different garden experiences.
The property was built in 1851 as Rosemary Cottage and represents the first New Zealand design by architect Benjamin Mountfort. The structure and grounds were maintained and developed over many decades before taking their current form in the early 2010s.
The name Ōhinetahi comes from Māori heritage, referring to the valley where a chief's son once lived with his family. Visitors walking through the grounds can still sense this connection to the place's ancestral past woven into the land itself.
The property welcomes visitors from mid-September through March with guided tours available through the gardens and house. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable since the grounds feature grass, gravel, and varied pathways to explore.
The property was donated to the public in 2012 by Sir Miles Warren, who transformed his own home into a charitable legacy for the nation. This generous gift converted the estate into a protected national treasure that visitors can experience today.
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