It’s believed that the Hauraki Gulf’s second largest island – after Great Barrier – was among the first places to be settled in Aotearoa when the Polynesian voyagers first arrived.
It didn’t take long for the Europeans to take note of the island’s potential, with the Auckland Weekly News commenting in 1893 that “Aucklanders are beginning to realise what a beautiful resort Waiheke Island is, and this summer is doing much to establish its reputation as the watering place of Auckland par excellence”.
The first vineyards wouldn’t be established for nearly a century more, however, when the Goldwater Estate planted its first grapes in the late 1970s. Now, more than 30 vineyards and wineries bloom from the rich soils of Waiheke (which means “cascading waters”) that has also, over the years, nurtured a raft of New Zealand artists lured by its scenery and isolation while still being within striking distance of our mightiest city.
One such artist was Teri Parat who moved to the island six years ago having visited regularly since her teenage years.
“Many years later, we owned a family bach at Pūtiki Bay, so I’ve always felt a strong connection and knew that I would make the move permanent someday,” she tells Verve – while continuing to paint away! “It’s such a unique slice of paradise.”
And one that has even steered Teri into new creative realms.
“I’ve been doing a lot more floral paintings since I moved to the island, inspired by the natural beauty of the place,” she says. “My little cottage is surrounded by trees, and you wake in the morning to the sound of tūī. The birdlife here is just extraordinary.
“I’ve also met some incredible people. From the galleries to the other artists, the art community here is wonderful and just so supportive. There are always exhibitions happening, it’s such an inspiring place to be.”
Outside her studio, Teri takes advantage of the island’s multitude of hikes (“I start each day with a good beach walk!”), world class eateries, and, of course, wineries.
“There’s are also a couple of distilleries that have recently opened up – gin and whisky – which are great,” says Teri. “There certainly isn’t a lack of things to do.”
I finish by asking Teri to sum up the island in a sentence or a few words.
“Gosh, how do you do that?! It’s laid back, it’s magical, it’s stress-free. It’s certainly become more popular, with more people coming over, and more homes going up, but there’s still no traffic… or traffic lights!”
Find Teri on Facebook @teriparatartist and Instagram @teriparat.
Waiheke Blooms
Christy Ralphs is used to the quite life having grown up on Aotea/Great Barrier Island. “My husband was from Auckland, so it was originally a ‘compromise’ move between my love of islands and small communities and my husband Mike’s familiarity with the big city,” she tells Verve. “It turned out to be the perfect choice for us both. We still love the close-knit nature of the island and the beautiful environment, but when we need a break or want to be anonymous the city is easily accessible.”
After her and her family had spent a decade developing Owhanake Bay Estate, Christy opened Nourish Gardens (nourishgardens.com) to help “bring something a little different to the island”.
“We are the only flower farm on Waiheke Island amongst a plethora of vineyards and olive groves – though we also have those on our property!” she says. “My dream is for every community in New Zealand to have a sustainable local flower farm that serves them. Most people don’t know where their flowers have been grown, and what chemicals have been used on them. I love that our flowers are ‘safe to sniff’ and that we can add beauty and meaning through flowers to our local community.”
What also sets the project apart are its tours and workshops.
“It’s unusual to be allowed to see behind the scenes of a flower growing business, but sharing what we do has always been important to me,” says Christy. “For people that just want to have a look we’ve developed a unique Self-Guided Tour where you can turn up when we have our Farm Shop open, and we’ll give you a map so you can explore at your leisure. It’s a working flower farm, so it’s not manicured, nor is there usually a sea of flowers as we pick the flowers for best vase life, so often that is before they have opened fully. We’re on hand to answer any questions and give you all the tips and tricks for growing your own blooms.”
The half- to full-day workshops and courses offer more “in-depth experiences to learn about growing, designing or just being creative with flowers.
“We enjoy that we offer something a bit different for visitors to experience on Waiheke. This summer we’re launching our Nourish Experience which will mean that you can book a private guided flower pick, and design your own bouquet with our help. We always include delicious, sweet treats as well – that is also very important to me!”
Christy is now celebrating 20 years on the island. “Choosing to raise and school our children entirely here was the best parenting decision we ever made,” she says. “My children have now flown the nest, will always have this safe welcoming place to come back to, even if their parents are no longer there.”
Any standout island memories?
“My eldest son taking his first steps on the sand at Little Oneroa Beach, scrunching his chubby toes into the sand for extra grip.
“I was also part of the team that set up the Sea Sports Academy at Waiheke High School, which is a unique marine outdoor education programme. Every Tuesday or Thursday afternoon you would find me at a beach, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing with a great bunch of teenagers, and I used to marvel at the fact that this was ‘work’.”
It’s such an outdoor lifestyle that Christy most loves about Waiheke.
“I like to walk – in my ultimate dream I’m one of those fit trail runners hurtling down the tracks, but in reality, a more sedate pace suits me – so I love the tracks near my house. Walking from Matiatia to Oneroa, via the headland coastal tracks, is stunning. Best avoided after heavy rain though, it gets very slippery. Another favourite is a hidden bay which is only a short walk from the road: Te Wharau. On a day when everyone is at Oneroa Beach with their speakers blaring, Te Wharau is blissfully serene and you’re unlikely to see anyone else there. Kayaking is the perfect way to discover all sorts of little private coves and beaches – I’m surprised we aren’t more of a kayaking destination.”
As for anything she misses about living on the mainland, Christy says that experiencing a day’s traffic on Auckland soon fixes that!
“I do also miss the easy access to other great outdoor spaces,” she adds, “but we already live in a paradise, so it’s not too much of a cross to bear.”
“We still love the close-knit nature of the island and the beautiful environment, but when we need a break or want to be anonymous the city is easily accessible.”
Forever Friends
The Friends of McKenzie Reserve (mckenziereserve.org.nz) was established in 2003 by a group of neighbours and Waiheke environmentalists with the aim of replacing hundreds of ageing pine trees and as an educational botanic space for the community to enjoy. The four-hectare eden sits on the northern Waiheke coast, with views across Enclosure Bay.
“Through diligent pest and weed control and planting of over 15,000 native species, we are seeing the return of native birds like the tūī, kākā, kererū, pīwakawaka, ruru and, most recently, the pīpīwharauroa, or shining cuckoo, plus gecko,” beams McKenzie Reserve Chair, Niki Schuck. “It’s magical early in the morning and at dusk to just sit and observe the goings on in nature. Walking tracks through the reserve make it a favourite spot for walking and exercise, exploring with tamariki and mokopuna, extensive educational signage makes it a great learning space. There are seats for quiet reflection and a grass area called the Glade, where people picnic, kick a ball around, play croquet or lie, and gaze at the stars.”
The donation of the Chris Bailey pou artwork from Sculpture on the Gulf Trust makes for a striking entrance to the Reserve from Empire Avenue.
“It’s a reminder that Waiheke’s history goes back much further than the European’s arriving here,” Niki continues. “Through evidence of middens, we know Māori lived in the area surrounding McKenzie Reserve. Back then it would have been full of established natives, a thriving valley with fresh water and close to the coast, abundant food and situated on the main trading routes for Māori. The pou are called Te Rerenga Wai o Tikapa Moana – The flowing waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Chris wanted people to remember those that have come before us and others that will follow us. We should remember that what we do now matters. The reserve plays a vital role in filtering the flow of water into Enclosure Bay and is home to so much native flora and fauna – we aren’t the only ones that love living here.”
Niki tells Verve that the volunteers’ efforts of the years have been “out of this world”, with people gladly “sharing their skills and passion for nature, education, sustainability and creativity”.
“The Waiheke community is kind and caring,” she says. “It feels like Aotearoa when I was young growing up in Ōtepoti/Dunedin. It is creative and clever, incredibly giving of its time while being conscious of both the people and the planet.”
The volunteer network has also ensured that the community comes together regularly.
“The creation of the reserve is an example of a passionate group of locals working in partnership with the Waiheke Local Board,” she says. “Our monthly working bees always end with a cuppa and kai. Whanaungatanga is so important.”
Niki has been coming to Waiheke – which she describes as “he taonga” – since 2001.
“I fell in love with it immediately,” she recalls. “We initially bought a small bach and then sold and built our home near McKenzie Reserve and shifted here permanently in 2014.”
Exploring the treasured land remains her favourite thing to do there – and recommends the Waiheke Walking Festival (waihekewalkingfestival.org) as a highlight.
“They do an amazing job of creating 10 days of walks that enable you to see the island in a sustainable way,” she says. “They’re fantastic walks that bring the history of the island to life through people telling stories, some that are on private land and others that combine walking, food and wine – what’s not to love. There’s even a guided walk through the McKenzie Reserve!”
If you are interested in featuring in the next edition of ‘Life on Waiheke’ in our February issue -please contact kate@vervemagazine.co.nz
