I recently posted at story I had published in the NZ Herald, ‘The secret garden,’ about the Sacred Blessing Sanctuary garden on Waiheke Island. It is so beautiful I thought I would post a few more images as it is well worth a visit.

Paul Dibble’s – Fantail on Ring

The garden is the work of more than 15 years and has recently been opened to the public. It has only been shown on two previous occasions, in 2011 and 2015 as part of the Waiheke Garden Safari, an annual event to raise funds for the Jassy Dean Trust, caring for sick children on the Island. On both occasions the garden won the ‘People’s Choice Award.’

Twin brother Arthur (holding Jina) and Alan (holding Bob) are both involved in the garden owned by Joy Deerness.

The garden hidden down a long driveway, is the collective work of owner Joy Deerness, and twin brothers Arthur Smith, the business development manager and Alan Smith, a co-joint gardener with Jenni Kent.

It was originally three properties but is now one garden made up of gardens within the garden. There a herb and vegetable garden, rose garden, orchid garden, tropical garden, woodlands and more.

The pergola in the middle of the herb wheel looks though to Dibble’s sculpture of a Kowhai flower.

The colourful foliage is offset with eight Paul Dibble sculptures adding another dimension of life to the garden, many of which were commissioned.

The Gold of the Kowhai

Two in particular took my eye. The Gold of the Kowhai (2014) is a kowhai flower, modelled, cast and gilded in 24 carat gold.

Rabbit Fights Backs

The other is Rabbit Fights Backs II (2015) depicted in the NZ Herald story.

And there are more …

Paul Dibble’s – I am a Tui

Paul Dibble’s – I am a Heron

This rich and manicured grounds have a unique sense of spirituality and peace with a number of secluded places to sit and reflect.

Garden tours are by appointment only for small groups and are taken by one of the gardeners resulting a personal and informative commentary.  The cost for the group is $90 and takes 1.5- 2 hours. For more information, sacredblessingsanctuary.co.nz

Fullers ferries travel from downtown Auckland and Devonport on a regular basis to Waiheke island.