The Gardens at Te Aka

The gardens at Te Aka are an extension of the land itself — productive, seasonal, and deeply connected to place.

Grown with care and intention, our gardens provide fresh vegetables, herbs, and edible plants that reflect the rhythms of the West Coast. Guests are welcome to forage from the garden during their stay, gathering what’s in season and reconnecting with the simple pleasure of food grown from the whenua beneath their feet.

This is not a manicured show garden, but a living, working space shaped by the climate, the soil, and time. What grows here changes with the seasons, and that’s part of the experience. From vibrant greens to hardy root vegetables and herbs, the garden invites guests to slow down, notice what’s thriving, and take part in a more grounded way of living.

Foraging from the gardens is about more than fresh produce — it’s about reconnecting with where food comes from, reducing impact, and experiencing the quiet satisfaction of gathering and preparing something yourself. It’s another way Te Aka offers an immersive stay, where the boundaries between accommodation, land, and daily life gently blur.