Our news

• Design contract for Monte Cecilia Park

  

  Monday Aug 10, 2009

  Natural Habitats has won the tender for the design of the Monte Cecilia Park - a 12.3 ha Auckland city park in Hillsborough. It has been eleven years since the idea of a premier park with citywide importance was endorsed for the area surrounding the historic Pah Homestead and its grounds. Monte Cecilia has a varied and rich cultural history and significant heritage values. The site of the park was originally a fortified Maori Pa known as Whataroa.

  The park is elevated with expansive views out to the Manukau Harbour and Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill). There is a large collection of mature trees along the ridgelines and two large amphitheatre landforms. Above these dramatic forms are two terraces, the upper of which is where the Pah homestead with its network of garden paths, are located. These provide an insight into the lifestyle of the affluent and highly influencial businessmen who owned the homestead during the late 19th century.

  The council began purchasing the land for Monte Cecilia Park in 2000. In 2003 the homestead was opened to the public and submissions for the park name were invited. The park was opened officially the following year. In the two years following this research was conducted to assist future planning with the Master Plan completed in 2007.

  Natural Habitats Design Intent

  The landscape design for Monte Cecilia Park has been guided by the principles set out in the master plan: Monte Cecilia Park should be a destination of citywide importance; a slice of living history; a peaceful retreat and a place to experience arts and culture.

  • Restoration: restore and/or enhance historic landscape features such as original paths around the homestead, the lawn terraces and batters, the heritage stairs, and the carriage way

  • Accessibility: new entrances, enhancement of the existing entrances, perimeter path networks, create a walking trail around the park

  • Views: strategically locating park benches on the top terrace and Manakau lookout area to maximise every possible view

  • Horticultural & Cultural heritage: reintroduce flowering shrubberies and other plant collections including a native fernery, native herbaceous garden, traditional homestead garden, native shrubbery and native wetland planting providing destination points and areas of interest

• More awards for projects we have been involved in!

  

  Wednesday Jul 08, 2009

  Excellence was awarded to Mercy Ascot Cancer Care Centre, Counties Manukau Police Station and Westfield Manukau City at this year’s Rider Levett Bucknall Property Council of NZ Awards. Natural Habitats Landscapes was responsible for the landscape design and the soft landscaping of the Mercy Ascot and Westfield Manukau and the hard landscaping of the Counties Manukau Police Station.

  We were wrapped to be part of these three award winning projects and our congratulations goes out RCP and thanks to Hawkins for having us involved in the Mercy Ascot project. Congratulations to RDT Pacific and Opus Architects and thank you to Watts and Hughes for our involvement in the Counties Manukau Police Station and finally congratulations to the team at Westfield in particular Rod Marler and the design team from all of us here at Natural Habitats Landscapes.

• Natural Habitats Greenwall is growing

  

  Tuesday Jul 07, 2009

  The Natural Habitats greenwall which is using 100% NZ natives is growing well and should have full coverage by mid summer. The greenwall features a number of leading edge innovations, including lightweight media (1/4 weight of soil), almost lifelong structural components, automated irrigation and feeding, and of course fantastic horticultural design!!

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