ROOTED IN LOVE

Tucked away in Kaiwaka on the Kaipara Harbour, Oakleaf Gardens is a small-scale cut flower garden blooming with beauty, meaning, and memory.

Owned and nurtured by Kowhai and her husband Wade, the garden sits on land that’s been in the family for seven generations. Now raising their sons, Arlin (7) and Jai (3), on the very whenua where Kowhai grew up, the couple are realising their long-held dream of building something special from the soil up.

Originally focused on fruit and vegetables, Kowhai’s gardening journey began with her Mum and has become a legacy she now shares with her own children. Her passion for growing flowers took deeper root after the heartbreaking loss of their baby boy, Jett, in 2021. Planting and tending to flowers became part of her healing process, evolving into a joyful pursuit she now shares with others.

“Like any garden, growing flowers has been filled with lots of trial and error,” admits Kowhai, “but there’s nothing more rewarding than nurturing a seed through to flowering, and being able to make it my business is just a bonus.”

What began as a healing practice soon blossomed into Oakleaf Gardens, now home to a wide variety of seasonal blooms, with whimsical, cottage-style bouquets crafted straight from the garden. Kowhai grows what she loves, with dahlias a particular favourite, and arranges bunches to evoke a feeling or memory.

Working with the natural rhythm of the seasons means flowers change month to month, ensuring unique and special arrangements, all grown without harsh chemicals and sprays. Harvested fresh and put together within hours, Kowhai sells bouquets via social media, offering local delivery, and through Kaiwaka Four Square, where community support has been heartwarming.

With every petal, Oakleaf Gardens tells a story – one of resilience, creativity, and deep connection to land and family.

www.instagram.com/Oakleaf.Gardens | 021 293 7413