WELCOME TO KEIRUNGA GARDENS, ONE OF THE PREMIER PARKS WITHIN THE HASTINGS DISTRICT.
COVERING SOME 7,9 HECTARES, IT IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE CULTURAL CENTRE OF HAVELOCK NORTH.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND.
Keirunga Gardens has something for everyone, with distinct
areas that together contribute to its uniqueness.
- RECREATIONAL AREA
The gardens are home to the Havelock North Live Steamers who have developed an
extensive railway comprising over 800 metres of tracks with bridges, viaducts and
tunnels for their miniature steam trains. The operation was opened in 1992 after
5 ears and 26,000 man hours of volunteer work.
The children’s playground was installed in 2006 and the sculptures by Haumoana
artist Peni Edwards, referred to as the ‘Paintbrush Garden’ were completed in 2007 - OPEN SPACE AREA
Walk up what is known as the knoll, a vast open grassed area behind the railway.
This leads up to the southern point of the reserve, with spectacular views over
Havelock North and up to Te Mata Peak. There are no formal tracks due to
topography and terrain, however this area leads you to the walkway known as
Arthurs Path. - THE HERITAGE BUILDING AREA
The original homestead, formed for the Gardiner family, has been maintained
and forms an important part of the gardens. The homestead is very early Arts and
Crafts style. The homestead is not a grand house, but appealing in its simplicity and
attractive in its setting. The small cottage next to the house (built for the Gardiners
•sister Emily Rose), is now known as the Quilters Cottage.
In this area, adjacent to the homestead, you will find a large Scarlet Gum tree,
which is a protected tree of outstanding significance, that was planted by Charlie
Tanner in about 1915. This area is the heart of the gardens, with cottage garden
style gardens, including a memorial garden dedicated to George Nelson. - EXOTIC WOODLAND AREA
Running along the western side of the gardens, following the waterway, is Arthurs
Path, an informal walkway set among a woodland of oak trees. The path was
named after Arthur Morris who drained the lower part of the gully and formed
the path. The mature oak trees shade the walkways leading you through the quiet
valley. The area under the trees have been extensively planted with bulbs to provide
spring colour. - POPLAR FLAT AND CRABAPPLE WALK
The northern point of the gardens, accessed off Tanner Street and lower
Pufflett Road, is a large open area, known as Crabapple Walk or Poplar Flat.
Enjoy an easy stroll, or have a picnic under the crabapple trees. - UPPER KEIRUNGA
here is additional separate parcel of land that forms part of Keirunga Gardens
further up Pufflett Road. This land is currently undeveloped and not connected to
the main gardens. Historical accounts suggest that it was always the intention of
George Nelson that these parts of the gardens be linked to give continuous access,
but this has been made difficult by their physical separation by private property.
This area is managed as a natural woodland, with no formal walkways. It is hoped that in the future these two areas are connected.