Reinstating a heritage site.

From 2003, Boffa Miskell managed a comprehensive restoration and redevelopment strategy for Tūpare, the historic family estate of Sir Russell Matthews, now under the management of the Taranaki Regional Council. Established in 1932, the 3.6-hectare heritage site grew to incorporate a Chapman-Taylor designed Arts & Craft-style house. Its notable landscaped garden, which Sir Russell and his wife Lady Mary began developing during the Great Depression, is known for its collection of rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas, and features a glade, a glasshouse, an old orchard and a cliff cascade.

To reinstate this nationally significant landscape to its celebrated status, Boffa Miskell undertook ongoing and collaborative project management, landscape planning and technical assessment, together with both conceptual and detailed design alongside architects, historians and engineers.

Development included improved car parking including extensive planting design, visitor interpretation facilities in the Gardener’s Cottage, and more intense management of the historically significant plant collections. 

The restoration and development work included the plant collections, car parking and visitor arrival at Hollard Gardens —created by Bernie and Rose Hollard — on the other side of Mount Taranaki, also a premier heritage garden.

Location

Taranaki

Project team

Steve Dunn

Project date

2003 - 2007

Awards

Bronze Award | Landscape Design, Rural / Park / Recreational Category | NZ Institute of Landscape Architects / Resene 'Pride of Place' Awards