NOT-SO-SECRET GARDEN
Less than an hour from central Ōtautahi, and not far from Little River, is Okuti Valley. About halfway along the sunny side of the valley, you will find yourself a haven. It is four hectares of fruit trees, wildflowers, herbs, and animals – there is even a pond with a small rowboat. This is Okuti Garden.
It contains several yurts, a tipi, and a house truck, an outdoor kitchen, a small marquee, and an art studio. There is enough room to accommodate 16 people.
Jim, Jane, and son Sol live here. Jim hails from London, where his last job was teaching environmental design at an art school. Jane is a trained horticulturist from Wales with wide-ranging experience in organic growing.
Sol, who finished his NCEA at Hagley College last year, is very much part of the team. His enthusiasm for woodworking has resulted in the creation of several additions to the garden – including a traditional sail windmill and a colonial-style kid’s playhouse.
The family arrived in Little River 17 years ago.
“We didn’t look at any other properties at all, we just knew that this was the right place. There’s a feeling here. It’s difficult to describe, but a lot of people comment on it.”
When you’re in the midst of Okuti Garden, this is not hard to believe. Jim believes Okuti Garden is a great opportunity for the family.
“It’s a chance for us to apply our skills and passions – for art, design, and gardening. The essential idea is to create lovely spaces for celebrating, learning, relaxing, playing.”
On most weekends, the garden is hired to people who have the whole place to themselves for a retreat or celebration or just a get-together of friends and whānau. Usually, they cook a big meal together, using the fresh herbs that surround the kitchen, and eat it at the long table in the middle of the garden.
Jane describes Okuti Garden at its best, on a summer evening. “The birdsong mingles with the buzz of conversation and laughter, and you can smell some gorgeous cooking drifting out of the garden kitchen.”
With a mix of spaces where you can intermingle with nature and relax, it really is a sanctuary. Yurts, tepees, and more are strategically placed, leaving you enveloped in the surroundings.
“The yurts give the feeling of being outside in nature, close to the sound of the birds and the stream and the wind in the trees. It’s amazing how many people report having slept really well in the garden.
“I think there’s been a lot of talk in the past year about getting back to the things that really matter in our lives. And for many of us, there are few things more important than simply spending time with the people that count to us. This place is a chance to get away from daily pressures, put the phone aside for a bit and just connect.
“In the past, we’ve had yoga weekends, meditation retreats, photoshoots, weddings, and birthdays. We’d love to see more retreats and gatherings.
“We like the idea of the garden as a metaphor. It’s not just about cultivating plants – it’s also about cultivating ideas and relationships. It’s a garden of creativity.”
