Anne and Ron a quick thank you for providing Somerfield Garden members with such a wonderful visit to your amazing garden (the tulip tree was a very special topic of interest and discussion) and also for the lovely home prepared lunch.  You are getting a well deserved reputation for the quality of your delightful food and I have to confess that personally I ate far too much as I could not resist a second visit to the table.

An AMAZING garden that astonished us all from the time we drove into the palm lined driveway until we left - still shaking our heads about the hard work and vision that we had seen. MASSES of stunning bromelliads ...not usually a fan but I'm a convert now! Wonderful to see superb trees- both native and exotic - and clever plantings.Ann + Graham have created a beautiful ,interesting garden with both skill and foresight....there was always something lovely to see....such a treat.

Our visit to Rapaura Watergardens was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into another world — a peaceful sanctuary where nature is not just preserved, but truly honoured.
The gardens are crafted with incredible care and intention. Every turn of the path reveals something beautiful: tranquil waterfalls, crystal-clear ponds, lush native plants, and perfectly placed resting spots that invite you to slow down and simply breathe. You can feel the love and vision that went into creating this place. It’s not just a walk — it’s an experience that reconnects you with stillness.
What stood out the most was the atmosphere. There is a deep sense of calm here, almost meditative. The sound of flowing water, the birds, and the surrounding forest create a natural symphony that grounds you instantly. It’s the kind of place where time disappears and you feel fully present.
The staff were warm and welcoming, and everything is maintained to the highest standards

It’s not until you tour a garden such as this that you realise how much more you can do with your own garden. Full of sculptures, art work, mirrors and flowers. There was so much to see that it was impossible to take it all in on the first round. Mary and Mark have made use of every inch of their garden. It’s a small garden and you really need at least an hour to take it all in. You will leave inspired with so many ideas. Mary answered all our questions and was very friendly and informative. Thoroughly recommend touring this garden

Completely in love! Utterly perfect for a night to recover. Graeme and Tracy Whanganui

Warm and welcoming hosts. Beautiful gardens . Gorgeous and comfortable room. Lyn, Australia

Beautiful place, great location, amazing food and company. Alonso , Peru

Gorgeous setting only 10-minute drive from Invercargill. Super comfy bed. Lovely breakfast. The owners are a joy to converse with. Joy , United States

Hi Anne & Ron,  I just wanted to thank you both so much for our wonderful garden visit on Monday. Our members were all so appreciative of the time you spent with us and amazed at your beautiful garden and the vast variety of plants.  We all came home inspired.... thank you again for sharing your stunning garden with us and making us so welcome in your home.

What a wonderful way to fund-raise for our Zonta Awards - a Garden Tea in a beautiful rose garden of one of our members. Thanks to Val Lott for her generosity in hosting us at her home. Our guests appreciated Val's generous sharing of her knowledge of her garden and the roses. Even though there was a mixture of sunshine and a little liquid sunshine, our guests really enjoyed the company, the delicious food, the ambiance of the afternoon and the background music by a talented young musician. Recommend as a venue

I just wanted to thank you for allowing my twin sister and me to visit your amazing property last week. What an absolute inspiration and delight you are Judy. You’ve kept that dream alive after your dear husband passed and I think it’s keeping you going!! We so enjoyed the experience, swapping our funny gardening stories and seeing your beautiful garden. The photos don’t do it justice but I created a post on my own page, The Uralla Garden. Hope you don’t mind. I used some of the photos from your website but captioned them as such.

Hope you are well and once again thank you Judy

We were lucky enough to stay 3 nights in the B&B cottage on site at Aramatai Gardens (highly recommended!). Jill is a wonderful host and her garden is beautiful. The ponds, lovely trees, seating areas, and naturalistic pathways make this a very restful garden. We also enjoyed seeing the white geese waddling about, cute piglets in the adjacent paddock, and friendly farm dogs who greeted us warmly from over the fence. Jill’s garden is well worth visiting and I’d love to see it again in November/December, when the peonies and roses will be doing their thing.

Such a magical and truly unique garden. Exploring the many pathways and features along the way is a delight - Jenny’s imagination and passion for her creation is infectious!