Garden Name:  Darnie's Garden

Address: 414 Tōwai Road, Maromaku

Property Description:  Syntropic food forest plantings in a large front and backyard - 'Our Playground'.

Darnie is passionate about growing their own food. She would love to introduce syntropic agroforestry to others. "I'm no expert, simply learning through trial, errors and lots of observations". In 2023 she started small with a 7m food forest install, 3 years on there's less lawn and more trees. 

As a busy mum of 4 young children, she hopes to inspire others to become more self-reliant, to just give it a go and start somewhere. She's  enjoying creating an edible backyard for their children to play and feast in.

Sales:  Delicious home baking - savoury and sweet (best fudge ever), plants, bamboo stakes (her 10 and 12 year old are fundraising for sports) 

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14 February, 8am - 4pm 

Garden Name: “Let Food be thy Medicine”

Address: 33 Settlement Rd, Kawakawa

Property Description:  One-acre piece of land on the outskirts of Kawakawa with a large 4 year old organic vegetable garden.

There is also a paddock with 5 sheep, 9 ducks and fruit trees such as persimmon, feijoas, figs, citrus, quince, plums, tamarillo, bananas, macadamia, guava and three 20m high pine nut trees. There is a lovely bamboo grove on the property that is used to make garden stakes and trellises for the plants. 

Siets is passionate about connecting with people and teaching them skills and knowledge about how to grow healthy food and be self-sustainable. She preserves (jams, jellies, chutneys, butters, pastes, sauces), ferments, dries, pickles, bakes and cooks the produce. She also makes creams, ointments and tinctures for healing; and likes to learn new things.

Sales: Refreshments and produce available.  

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th, February 9am – 4pm

Garden Name:  Wai Māhanga Farm

Address: 22 Bristow Rd, Kawakawa. 

Go to the start of Bristow Rd, but don't go down the road as signposted. Instead cross the railway line into the Kawakawa Rugby Club carpark. Turn left and go to the end and enter the farm through the gate beside the cycle way. Follow the farm track around across the bridge and continue up the hill to the house.

Property Description: A  40 hectare holistically managed regenerative farm.  

Over the last 7 years Gary has transformed the farm using organic regenerative agriculture practices. This has resulted in an increase in the carbon in the soil, increase in water retention, increase in soil biology, increase in the diversity of grasses, healthier plants and healthier animals. Stock numbers have doubled, topsoil depth has doubled and at the same time external inputs, such as fertilisers and chemical sprays, have reduced to zero. If you want to find out more about regenerative agriculture this farm visit is highly recommended. It will also be of interest for people with food forests; and gardeners in general. See "Soil Carbon Cowboys"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDoUDLbg8tg 

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am – 4pm

Garden Name: Sheltered Tropics

Address: 73 Aucks Road, Russell. 

You will have to catch the vehicle ferry, but it's worth it. https://northlandferries.co.nz/bay-of-islands-ferry/#vehicle 

Property Description:  A 25 year old thriving tropical food forest which has created its own microclimate. 

Lauren and Kerry have a wealth of experience and knowledge in growing tropical trees and plants and they are happy to share it with visitors. The gardens are still a work in progress but it is remarkable what they are growing and harvesting to eat. They have tropical papaya growing outside, 28 varieties of bananas, 4 varieties of passionfruit, sapote, lucuma, rose apple, queen pineapple, pomegranate, kiwiberry, Brazilian tree fern, a young coconut palm and many other tropical plants. 

Opening Days and Times: Sunday 15th February, 9am to 4pm

Garden Name: The Lonely Valley Community Garden

Address: Corner of Waimāngaro Road and SH 11, between Opua and Paihia

Property Description: Located in the Bay of Islands, next to the Roadrunner Tavern, The Lonely Valley Community Garden is a welcoming space for locals to come together and grow fresh produce. Join us in cultivating not only plants but also friendships as we work toward a greener, more sustainable future for our community. Everyone is welcome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/440231369055140 .

The site has some very old grape, plum, apple and pear trees which were heavily pruned to help create space for other fruit trees and vegetables to be added such as fig, corn, pumpkin, beans, tomato, okra, strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb, kale, herbs and companion flowers such as zinnia, sunflower and Mexican sunflower. Well worth a visit.

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am – 4pm 

Garden Name: Claire's Farm 

Address: 36 Tui Glen Road, Haruru 

Go down Tui Glen Road past Jameson Esplanade road turn off (ignore Google maps).

Property Description:. A 40 ha zero carbon emissions farm with 23 horses instead of a car and 3 oxen instead of a tractor. There is also a milking cow, milking goats and chickens.  

Around the horse training yard there is a wonderfully diverse 3 year old food forest in the the making. Do not be put off by first impressions - when you arrive get out and explore how the plants (everything from walnut and chestnut to kumara and the careful selection of weeds) are transforming the soil. Claire is living more and more in tune with the environment and is involved with conservation work such as the "Iwi Kiwi" trust.

Talks/Demonstrations: There will be an ox training demonstration from 11am to 1pm, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am - 4pm

Garden Name: The Cherry Tree Cottage  NEW 2026

Address: 331 Puketona Road, Haruru 

Property Description:. Historic 1840's kauri cottage and permaculture property.  

Courtney and Seneca practise homesteading and sustainable living on a 1/2 acre residential property, where they homeschooled their 2 children. There is a Native American 3 Sisters' Garden growing corn, climbing beans and squash together; bananas; berry house; flowers and a small stream. NZ Cottage lifestyle.

Talks/Demonstrations: "Green Smoothie Workshop" - Saturday 14th February, 11am - 12pm, Entry Koha

"Living History Tour and Stories around the Campfire" - Sunday 15th February, 7pm - 9pm, Entry Koha and/or bring pot luck supper

Accommodation: "The Cottage" - 3 to 4 people, 2 night minimum - 021 457 421

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am - 4pm

Garden Name: Natural Building Centre

Address: 421 State Highway 10, Oromāhoe.

Property Description:  Grant Steven is a former tutor in Sustainable Rural Development at NorthTec, who now makes light earth buildings and wood-fired ovens.

Grant's light earth buildings are made from clay, water and fibre. Straw is traditionally used for the fibre but, as it is not locally available in Northland, he is experimenting with other fibres, with his favourite being Miscanthus × giganteus  elephant grass which he is growing on site. The light earth is mainly fibre with just a little clay slurry and it can be applied to a wattle and daub style frame (using split bamboo which is available locally instead of wattle). A thicker clay earth plaster layer is then applied on top. He also makes ergonomic light earth panels which are quick to make and light enough to easily be handled by 2 people and put into a wooden frame structure.

His earth ovens include umu ovens, pizza ovens and Indian naan bread ovens. Paul's gardens are also worth checking out. 

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February 9am – 4pm

Garden Name: Māhoe Gardens

Address: 19 Oromāhoe School Rd, Oromāhoe

Property Description:  This 2 acre garden contains 250 different types of edible plants. Graeme Kettle is the organiser of the Northland Edible Garden Trail.

Over the last 7 years, Graeme and Debbie have created organic edible landscapes where their children free range, where wildlife is welcome, and where the Mauri (life energy) flourishes. They have developed diverse productive food forests and sustainable garden systems that are resilient and can thrive in a drought without the use of irrigation. They grow practically all their own fruit and vegetables and their food forests sustained the family of 4 within just 1 year. They are passionate seed savers, particularly of heritage varieties. There is a lot to learn from their gardens, which include experimental syntropic agroforestry gardens.

Talks/Demonstrations: Food Forest Guided Tour - Sunday 15th February, 3pm 

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am - 4pm

Garden Name: Te Waimate Mission

Address: 344 Te Ahu Ahu Road, Waimate North

Property Description:  The grounds of New Zealand's 2nd oldest house are a great place for a picnic. Charles Darwin described his visit here in 1835 as "exceedingly pleasing".

Te Waimate Mission was the heart of New Zealand's first European model farming village, an attempt to transplant an entire food culture from the other side of the world. Today there are still sheep and cattle in the paddocks. The grounds of the mission house contain some notable heritage edible trees and plants such as grape, lemon and rose hip. Of special interest are New Zealand's oldest Bunya trees which were introduced from Australia almost 200 years ago and are now 29m high.  They are related to NZ Kauri, but the Bunya cones can weigh up to 18kg each and contain dozens of large, delicious, nutritional nuts which are highly valued as a food source by the Australian Aboriginal people. 

Opening Days and Times:  Free admission to the grounds which are always open. $10 admission to the inside of the mission house. The mission house is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

https://www.visitheritage.co.nz/visit/northland/te-waimate-mission 

Food: Tea/coffee and biscuits for a small koha.

Garden Name: Te Ngahere Kai - The Food Forest RETURNING 2026

Address: 25 Te Rore Lane, Waimate North

Property Description: Te Ngahere Kai is about abundance, resilience, and working with nature. It reflects their family commitment to living simply, growing their own food, and creating a sustainable future.

An epic 5 year old 2 1/2 acre food forest with a diverse mix of traditional fruit trees, subtropical trees (including over 17 varieties of bananas) and seasonal crops. This isn't just a garden - it's a living ecosystem where nature and productivity work hand in hand. Rick and Zoe's food forest is a testament to regenerative design and long-term abundance. As the system matures, it's becoming increasingly self-sustaining. From the rich soil life to the canopy of fruiting trees, everything is interconnected and demonstrates what's possible when you work with nature rather than against it. Rick has a background in horticulture and a deep passion for creating sustainable food systems.

Sales: Seedlings from the forest, fresh fruit and cold refreshments.

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th February 9am – 1pm

Garden Name: Down to Earth NZ

Address: 852 Waimate North Road, Waimate North

Property Description: Regenerated farmland ecologically enhanced over 8 years of planting and infrastructure with a spring fed gravity water system, native forest restoration, and wetlands.

This beautiful property has permaculture designed productive gardens including watercress areas, and just so many creative projects on the go! Designed by landscape designer, Simon Berry, and built with love from many helping hands! Tours and talks will be available on the day.

Accommodation: Available in thier eco caravans or private campervan parking. Search Facebook for Down to Earth NZ or use the link: https://www.facebook.com/downtoearthnz/

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th February and Sunday 15h February, 9am – 4pm

Garden Name: Barb and Mike Webb   NEW 2026

Address: 104 Wakelin Road, Kerikeri

Property Description: Off grid, self-sufficient home and garden on 5 acres.

An impressive property, with a 22m x 10m glasshouse; a small glasshouse for drying produce such as figs, tomatoes and tobacco; sheep and chooks. Barb and Mike bottle produce including making sauerkraut and pickles. They also make their own liquid fertiliser. There is an impressive Man Cave and an equally impressive She Shed with its own indoor pickleball court.

Mike and Barb run the monthly Kerikeri Repair Café at Cottle Hill Road, Kerikeri: https://www.facebook.com/KerikeriRepairCafe

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th February, 9am – 4pm

Garden Name: Kerikeri Organic and Māra Tūī Community Gardens

Address: Kerikeri Organic, 1188 SH 10, Kerikeri. Go down the drive to Kerikeri Organic and then continue on past the organic shop.

Property Description: A 32 hectare property growing and marketing organic fruit, vegetables and other products. 

The orchard and gardens, pasture and cows, native bush and farm forestry, are part of the vision for becoming a self-sufficient environment. The organic shop will be open  kerikeriorganic.co.nz

Māra Tūī is a unique meeting and learning space, where there is regular community gatherings including crop swaps, workshops, working bees and more.

Mara Tūī Nui is a new extension of Māra Tūī which grows healthy organic food for the larger community,  learning with and from each other and exploring different ways to grow as it expands. It includes syntropic agroforestry.

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th February, 9am - 4pm

Māra Tūī also welcomes people to join their garden day which runs every Thursday from 9am to 12pm. Contact Lida 022 455 9654.

Garden Name: Roof Bay of Islands Car Park   NEW 2026

Address: 57 Cobham Road, Kerikeri

Property Description: This central Kerikeri business wishes to challenge other businesses to create productive gardens to support their staff and communities.

Roof Bay of Islands has edged their company car park with dozens of planter boxes. Currently they grow 10 varieties of potatoes, kūmara, silver beet, tomatoes, lettuce, bok choy, carrots, kale and a variety of herbs. Everything is spray free. The garden is modelled on a Matamata business which grows food and cooks healthy lunches for 45 staff.

Rick is happy to talk about the materials he has used for his raised planter boxes and the techniques for raising healthy food. 

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February 9am - 4pm

Garden Name:  Sarah Bingham  NEW 2026

Address:  7 Peacock Garden Lane, Kerikeri. Parking is limited so you may need to park on Peacock Garden Drive.

Property Description: Productive terraced gardens on a 1/2 acre section in walking distance to the town centre.

In the 6 years Sarah has lived here, she has planted about 20 fruit trees: developed a large vegetable garden (which includes a "3 Sisters" bed and chickpeas), set up beehives and built a chook pen. She makes wine from some of the plums, lemons, kiwifruit, rhubarb and grapes. She makes gin from the damson plums and bottles the olives.

There is also a productive container salad garden growing lots of tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, beans and lettuce in pots - an ideal method if you're in a rental property.

Opening Days and Times: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am - 4pm

Garden Name:  Wharepuke Subtropical Garden

Address:  190 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri

Property Description:  2 hectares of beautiful garden landscaped by Robin Booth since 1993 and awarded National Significance 5 stars  by the NZ Gardens Trust.

This mature subtropical garden contains many rare and unusual plants including edible fruiting trees such as jaboticaba, Davidson's plum, kei apple, cherimoya, casimiroa, cinnamon, lucuma and grumichama. All trees have a name tag and there is a list of them in the nontoxic printmaking studio where the koha box is. Part of the garden is also a sculpture trail which is designed to complement the exotic plants.

Talks/Demonstrations: A team member will be available for questions.

Food:  MĀHA Restaurant   https://www.maharestaurant.co.nz/

Check website for opening hours

Opening Days and Times: The gardens are open all day, everyday. Admission by koha.

Garden Name: Kerikeri Mission Station Garden 

Address:  246 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri

Property Description:  Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest European garden nestled on a delightful riverbank with 2 of NZ's oldest buildings: Kemp House and the Stone Store.

The gardens have been continuously cultivated for more than 200 years, first by Ngāpuhi  with crops of kūmara, potato, yam, taro and aruhe. The garden has evolved over time, but the layers of history are revealed as you explore the grounds. Discover millstones from the 1820s, the site of the first grapevines planted in NZ, a 100-year-old Mulberry tree, and a well-kept gorse hedge. These days, the garden is lovingly maintained by a hardworking gardener and volunteers. It includes a heritage orchard. 

In the Plough & Feather's car park just across the road is NZ's oldest fruit tree: a 206 year old pear tree which is still going strong.

Food:  The Honey House Cafe  https://www.facebook.com/TheHoneyHouseCafe/

Opening Days and Times: The gardens are always open. Free admission, but koha is very welcome

Garden Name:  KERILEA

Address: 1629a SH 10, Kerikeri

Property Description:  1.5 acre lifestyle block with 18 chickens. Only open for a garden tour at 3pm on Saturday 14th February 

There were already many beautiful large trees, but over the last 3 years the property has been transformed into a thriving sustainable edible landscape. The old dying orchard was brought back to life with mulching and adding seaweed, horse poo and grass clippings. There is a  worm farm composting system, a herbal tower on the porch and a 1 1/2 year old hot house growing pawpaw with an understorey of tomato, watermelon and nasturtium. 

The owners have learnt a lot from trial and error which they would like to share with visitors.

Sales:  Cold drinks and produce

Opening Days and Times:  Only open for a garden tour at 3pm Saturday 14th February

Garden Name:  Maggie's Garden

Address: 1715  State Highway 10, Kerikeri

Property Description:  Mature biodynamic gardens bursting with life and nature.

Natural, wildish, edible gardens with more flowers than vegetables, and why not as the flowers are as vibrant and beautiful as 87 year old Maggie herself. There are also fruit trees, a shady native tree grove, a small commercial flower garden, lawns with outside tables and chairs, and many delicious varieties of grapes, including one grapevine which is 100 years old. Children are welcome.

Sales: Grapes, flowers, all day morning and afternoon tea.

Opening Days and Times:  Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am - 4pm

Garden Name:  Ngā Waiora

Address: Weber Road, Kaeo (opposite 175 Weber Rd)

Property Description:  Angela Pehi-Bellas, kaitiaki of land set in bush mountain backdrop, pastoral and Whangaroa Harbour views, anchored by immense water carved rocks. Come see the big hug rock for festive fire pit evenings.

A collaborative effort between Angela and Vicky Barrett (Edible Lifestyle Designer and Mentor), working together weekly, assisted by whānau and friends. Since 1 May 2024 they have planted 2 acres. There are organic self-sustaining edibles and flowers for future retreat cabins set in subtropical enclaves, supported by a citrus grove, bank of deciduous fruit trees, and companion herbs, flowers and vegetables, extensive vegetable beds and a pollinator flower garden. The communal building is yet to be built to fulfil the vision of a retreat to facilitate goals of personal growth, healing, tending the gardens and enjoying local recreational activities.

Opening Days and Times:  Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 9am - 4pm