What’s more, it seems that stories of transformations are just as inspiring today and can be found in most streets in every town throughout the country. One such property is on the cliff-face at Cockle Bay, looking over the water towards Pine Harbour.
Thirty-seven years ago this property was covered in gorse and had terrible soil. But with vision, a lot of hard work and continuous composting, a transformation has gradually taken place and Tupari Mara – meaning cliff-edge garden – is now a varied and fascinating creation.
When purchasing the property in 1969, the owners (who prefer to remain anonymous) wished for one that allowed them to “borrow the landscape” and with expansive views stretching out past Beachlands they’ve certainly achieved that.
The house, built in 1970, is nestled in a fence-free enclave, which reinforces the sense of space. Designed by Barry Robinson, it’s an example of Group Architecture with its low-pitched roof, long lines, easy flowing spaces and expansive views through large windows. Robinson also had input with the design of the Auckland Public Library and the renovation of Auckland Art Gallery.
Access down the long, shared driveway has been designed as a “ribbon of blue” with hyacinths, bluebells and babianna flowering in early spring. Later in the season muscart climbing roses take over.
Despite some modifications over the years, most of Robinson’s original design has been retained and a stunning feature of the living area, the architect’s own idea, is the room divider. Made from walnut veneer from Queensland, it holds many family treasures. On the deck, the outdoor dining suite is by Michael Draper. Jeannie Van Der Putten designed the fabric, which covers the outdoor cushions and on the lawn below, The Dreamer, is a sculpture by Jin Ling.
Keen travellers, the owners were inspired by other cultures and climates and in 1970 their gardening philosophy was considered somewhat unusual. One partner had lived in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), for four years and both spent time in the Pacific Islands.
“In Bulawayo, rows of jacaranda trees lined the streets. They were beautiful and inspired us to plant our own jacaranda at Tupari Mara.” And a tropical theme, taken from the Pacific, was created in the pond gardens by the front door.
The Japanese-inspired entrance to the house is via a timber boardwalk with a pond either side. In line with the architecture of the time, inspiration came from the Pacific Rim and a wall of breeze blocks reinforced the Californian theme.
“We didn’t want flowers here. We wanted bold, sculptural plants with a variety of leaf and plant forms. We planted paw paw, taro, fruit salad plant, acanthus and hostas but back then they were considered unusual.”
The rest of the garden has been divided into three parts. The main garden, facing the sea, was designed to be viewed from the house. The tiered vista is made up of lawn, garden, reserve, sea views and hills beyond. The “orchard” is situated on the sloping rear of the property and there’s a large, productive vegetable garden at the side of the house.
The fruit trees in the orchard are fringed by large camellias, magnolia and the prized jacaranda. Descending the steps on the right is a small garden bursting with colourful cottage flowers and nestled against the house is a sheltered north-facing courtyard laid with Grainger bricks from Whitford.
A long pond has been built against the garden wall for Japanese irises and these are accompanied by sculptures by Wei Lin Elliott from Coromandel.
The front garden features pohutukawa, karaka, kowhai, ngaio and pittosporums which hug the cliff. Prized plants include the campbelli magnolia, which boasts the largest flower of the species and a stellata – a gift from one of the children.
Under the deck there’s a stellata spraxias, and a variety of thistle called cardoon that came from the Mission House at Kerikeri. Related to the globe artichoke, it reaches two metres high and has deep blue flowers.
Wisteria draping the pergola grew from a cutting from a Napier garden with the parent plant thought to be 150 years old. And almost unheard of in Auckland, this garden boasts a peony, which also came from a cutting.
“It’s important to us that many of our plants have stories and we love to carry on their legacy.”
However, there’s a tinge of sadness that the stars in the sky used to glow much brighter before the once gradual, but now rampant, development of Whitford, the Formosa Golf Course and Pine Harbour, with streetlights now competing with the stars. Nevertheless, 37 years on, this property still gives much pleasure to its owners.
