Built in 1862 for prominent businessman Alfred Buckland and his family, Highwic is one of New Zealand’s finest examples of Carpenter Gothic architecture. Alfred Buckland and his wife Eliza emigrated from England in 1850 and first settled in South Auckland before moving to Newmarket where they built their family home.

Highwic was home to the Buckland family and their descendants for over 116 years before being sold to Auckland City Council and New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga) in 1978. The property was opened to the public in 1981. Highwic is scheduled in the Auckland City Isthmus District Plan as Category A heritage item and is registered as a Category One Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

It is unclear who was responsible for the gardens from the 1860s through until the early 1900s. It is most likely that Alfred and Matilda (Alfred’s second wife) oversaw the development of the gardens which were probably tended by a live-in groundskeeper during this time.

Photographs taken in the 1860s show the house surrounded by scrubby vegetation and very few trees. By the 1880s there had been considerable development. Conifers, laurel, lilly-pilly and privet lined the driveway and two large Norfolk Island pines bordered the front façade of the house. In the late 1880s, a tennis court and croquet lawn were installed to the north of the house. By the late 1880s or 1890s, a tall and neatly clipped Lawson Cypress hedge was established along the boundaries of Mortimer Pass and Gillies Avenue. From the early 1900s until 1936, Highwic’s gardens were cared for by two of Alfred’s daughters – Phoebe and Maude. They were assisted by a number of gardeners including Mr Speary, who lived in a house attached to the kitchen garden.

Mr Speary began working at Highwic in the 1920s and only retired when the lower paddocks were sold in 1937. Photographs of Mr Speary’s flower garden show considerable sophistication and he was well-known throughout Auckland for his sweet peas.

The Roy family, who lived at Highwic from 1953 until 1978, streamlined the garden to reduce the workload. During their time at Highwic, they employed Mr Ruff as a groundskeeper. When Highwic was sold in 1978, the gardens were looked after by Auckland City Council’s Parks and Reserves Department. By 1981 the council had instituted a grant to cover day-to-day gardening; however, the council retained responsibility for major maintenance and tree surgery. For over a decade, the garden was managed by the live-in curator who introduced a number of historically unprecedented elements such as a herb garden in the orchard and flower beds alongside the marquee which was erected on the Tennis Lawn in summer. These introduced elements were mostly removed in the 1990s when a contract gardener was employed. Today, the garden is looked after by council contractors, a contract gardener and a dedicated group of volunteers.

Alfred and Eliza Buckland originally purchased five acres and one rood (2 hectares) for their family home in Newmarket. These five acres were divided into two distinct areas by a steep escarpment. The lower flat area to the east was divided into a kitchen garden and a larger paddock. The main house, stables, Billiard House, fernery and gardens are situated on top of a low volcanic crag. The lower paddocks were sold in 1937, reducing the size to two acres (1.116 hectares). Approximately one hour is recommended to explore the house and gardens.

Eco Wed offers small, intimate, and sustainable weddings. All things we love!
Eco Wed provides the complete package – a celebrant (the wonderful Auckland Celebrant Kerry Sorensen-Tyrer ), a photographer (the incredibly talented Lara, from Soul Sisters Photography), the venue, bubbles, and optional extras for two hours. In addition to this Eco Wed weddings are eco-friendly, with zero wedding waste!
Highwic is one of four Auckland venues that have partnered with Eco Wed. Centrally located in Newmarket, Highwic offers an elegant 1880s Drawing Room, Billiard House or award-winning heritage gardens for your ceremony and refreshments. While you’re having photos throughout the house and gardens, your guests will have the opportunity to look through the historic house.
In Kerry’s own words, “Eco Wed weddings are stylish, simple and beautiful, offering a wonderful venue, a talented photographer and a passionate celebrant.”
For more information visit ecowed.co.nz or contact Kerry at ecowednz@gmail.com