A play on colour and form

Hosts: Meg & Tom Macfarlane

Address: 395 Sandersons Road, Rotherham

Welcome to Waihui Gardens – a garden established over the last 33 years purely with entertainment in mind! Come and see what a young (then) novice gardener and her reluctant husband have been able to achieve from the bones of an original garden started in 1962, to give them the entertainment spaces they so badly needed when funds were tight, and houses were shabby.

Fast forward to 2025, and we now have a series of rooms – each suitable for different wind conditions, and to provide entertainment spaces for friends and family for the many parties, weddings, and other functions we have hosted over the years. The new lipstick garden established in June 2023 is starting to mature, and the Mod scene pots provide eye popping colour – especially when the rhododendrons and later Dahlias are in full bloom. The wildflower “wall” gets replanted annually now, and we hope an early planting in August will provide some colour for the festival in November.

There have certainly been many trials and tribulations of dealing with wind, livestock, rain, floods, and a particularly harrowing drought for the summer of 2023.

Truly worth the short trip on a well sign posted route – a quick 10 minute drive from Rotherham township, enjoy the scenic views of the Kaikoura mountains, and find yourself arriving at our little piece of paradise on the peninsula.

EVENTS

Band: Alpine Echoes will be on the Sunday, 12 noon till 3pm.

Brents Country Furniture: Items available for purchase over the entire weekend.

Marinas Medialunas: Argentinian pastries – available Sunday.

Kumusha NZ: Stone sculptures for sale over entire weekend.

Jim Harre – an international Wine Judge with over 30 years judging experience.

After studying winemaking and viticulture at the Eastern Institute of Technology in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, Jim has worked vintages in France, Australia, New Zealand and as well, spent time working in Christies Fine Wine Department in London. In August 2000, Jim authored a research paper “The effect of the aircraft environment has on the sensory perception of wine” which was published at the 2000 Romeo Bragato National Conference in New Zealand. Jim has been part of the judging teams of every major New Zealand Show and internationally Jim is a regular judge as a Chair, Co- Chair or Panel leader in the United States, Australia, London, Japan and China. Jim is currently Chair of Judges for the Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition and is Wine Consultant to Air New Zealand Ltd.

Woman holding a phone in a kitchen with plants and appliances in the background.

WORKSHOP

Join Jen Pomeroy from @the.modern.mess in the kitchen at @waihui_gardens_rotherham for a demonstration and tasting.

Jen will be cooking delicious and seasonal recipes you can share with friends and family this Christmas and Summer. Jen will be sharing tips for cooking for a crowd and getting clever in the kitchen with some recipes you can make once but use for the week. Saturday 2nd November, 11am start. Demonstration will be approximately 60-90 minutes.

Tickets on sale now using this link or the link in our bio.