The Birds

Auckland
Established Garden
NZ Native Garden
Orchard
Vegetable Garden

Driven by a desire to create a fun, interactive environment for family and friends to enjoy, Helen and Rob have transformed a once-neglected lifestyle block into a landscape designed for discovery.

Set on 15-acres in the rural community of Ararimu, The Birds is a large-scale property that has undergone an incredible transformation over the past decade. When current owners Helen and Rob arrived, the land was run-down and overgrown with blackberry and barberry. After years of hard work, problem-solving, and creative vision, the garden is now defined by distinct zones that have evolved over time.

At the heart of the property is a focus on food production, featuring extensive raised vegetable beds, a glasshouse, berry enclosure, olive grove, and an orchard producing avocados, citrus, apples, and stone fruit.
Beyond the productive gardens, extensive native planting began early in the project to establish shelter and encourage birdlife. A native walk now connects different areas of the garden. One of the property’s many unique features is the ‘Secret Garden’ and waterfall—a natural sandstone shelf waterway that was discovered and cleared of heavy scrub during the property’s development.
The site also features some unique structural elements designed for family use, including a ‘chip and putt’ golf area, an adventure playground, and a labyrinth constructed from local rock which doubles as a helipad. You’ll also discover stunning pieces of sculpture by local artists, thoughtfully placed into the landscape.
From the playfulness of the fairy garden to the serenity of the waterways, this is a garden that invites you to explore, smile, and unwind.

Onsite parking
Picnic Area
Toilets
Wheelchair/pushchair friendly

The Birds Garden Visit

Price: $25.00

Duration: 1.5 hours

Capacity: 2 - 12 people

Upcoming dates:

Tuesday 10 March
Sunday 15 March
Tuesday 14 April

Check opening times and availability

Meet the Gardener

Helen, a former nurse, and her husband Rob, who has a background in agriculture, describe themselves as "active relaxers".

They have both gained enormous satisfaction from this shared passion project that allows them to connect with the outdoors and work towards self-sufficiency.

Helen’s gardening philosophy is practical: learn from the environment and go with nature rather than fighting against it. After years of trial and error, she now focuses on plants that thrive in their specific conditions, prioritising edibles and natives. For Helen, the garden is about the energy gained from being outside and the satisfaction of watching a long-term plan come to fruition.

While Helen provides the creative direction—regularly planning new zones and planting schemes—Rob handles the heavier property maintenance and cares for their small mob of sheep and cattle . Whether he is tractor mowing or tending to the livestock, the physical work offers a welcome contrast to his corporate career in the heart of Auckland

There is no such thing as a failure. It's all learning. The great thing about a garden is you can always give it another try the next year.