Accolades for Ōhinetahi

Already deemed a garden of international significance, Ōhinetahi was among the 31 winners at this month’s Canterbury Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards.

Awarded one of two “Enduring Architecture” awards, Ōhinetahi (pictured) is one of the region’s best known, and most loved gardens, on a hilltop overlooking Governor’s Bay.

Home to the late Sir Miles Warren, and John and Pauline Trengrove, for more than three decades, it was gifted to the nation in 2012, and is now run by the Ōhinetahi Charitable Trust.

Home to two galleries, sculpture and woodland trails, and a significant 19th century homestead, it boasts more than 1.25 hectares of gardens, often the setting for weddings and other functions during warmer months.

Ōhinetahi is also well known for its displays of art, architectural works and sculptures. The gardens have a special significance, dating back to 1865 when then-owner, keen botanist Thomas H Potts began planting them.

Ōhinetahi

The place was named by Manuhiri, son of Te Rakiwhakaputa of the Ngāi Tahu iwi, in reference to his only daughter. Ōhinetahi means ‘place of a single daughter’.
After consulting local Māori, the site’s first European owner, Christopher Alderson Calvert adopted the name Ōhinetahi for the wider property.
In 1858, one of New Zealand’s first botanists, Thomas H Potts, purchased the property. He subsequently added 317 acres to his original 225-acre purchase. Thomas initially established Ōhinetahi’s gardens, and built the sandstone homestead as a large insert between the two halves of the existing dwelling, Rosemary Cottage.

Ōhinetahi is closed during winter, and will reopen in September.