Photos by Philip Smith and James Fischer

1769 GARDEN

In 2015, O2 Landscapes was approached by the 'Longbush Ecosancturary Trust' to design a nationally significant, large scale garden at the Longbush Ecosancturary, near Gisborne. Officially opening in 2019, this garden will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the landing of James Cook's Endevour in 1769, at the mouth of the Waimata river.

The project was largely focused on public engagement and rare native plant species. The design of the garden leading up the the welcome shelter (designed by Sarosh Muller), was heavily influenced by the earliest moments of European contact with New Zealand. It is here that visitors to the site will be encouraged to explore and experience our native vegetation in ways similar to those documented by the crew of the Endevour when they first landed in Gisborne.

Project Type: Public Eco-sanctuary
Location: Longbush, Gisborne, NZ
Date: 2015 - Present
Team Members: Philip Smith, James Fischer, Winston Dewhirst
Individual Contribution: Concept design, historical research, planting design, detailing, drafting, site works, rendering.