Waihi Water Lily Gardens celebrate 60 years

Waihi Water Lily Gardens is celebrating its 60th anniversary of opening to the public by hosting its first summer events.
The Sculpture Exhibition, which runs to the end of February, comprises 28 pieces scattered throughout the 6ha of grounds, including by Dave Roy (Whakamarama), Peter Cramond (Papamoa), Trevor Nathan (Rotorua) and Jocelyn Pratt (Putaruru).
"The gardens were first open to the public for four Tuesdays in February in 1941," says Bevan McDuff. "And apparently they had thousands of people through.
"We thought 60 years of being open was a pretty good reason to do something special."
Bevan co-owns the Pukekauri Rd venture - which includes a café and boutique accommodation - with his partner Alix Gamble, her son Sam and his partner Olivia Thorn.
Sam and Olivia and their two young children live on site and Sam is the manager of the gardens, as well as being the cook for the café, where old photos of the gardens are on show.
Dairy farmers Tom and Mabel Gordon started the gardens on their property about 70 years ago.
When the current owners bought it seven years ago they closed to visitors for three years while they brought the property back to its former glory.
"There's been a lot of back-breaking work go into this place," Bevan says. "The lake was so choked when we took it over that you'd have thought it was dry land.
"The dog kept trying to walk across it and falling in."
There are over 60 varieties of water lily, both tropical and hardy, in 20 stream-fed ponds that include a 0.8ha lake.
Sam has a nursery on site to grow replacement plants and plants for sale and says that every year the "dry" landscaping is also increased to add interest for visitors.
'Having the 60th anniversary was just the motivation we needed to put something special on," Bevan says.
"The sculptors have used a wide range of media - everything from black Takaka marble to pohutukawa - and created a fascinating array of pieces."
Trevor Nathan of Rotorua has three Suspension pieces at the Waihi Water Lily Gardens.
"I love the gardens," says Bevan, a retired music teacher. "We hope that by putting these events on people will come and realise just what a gorgeous place it is."
SUMMER EVENTS
Until end of February: The Sculpture Exhibition, open 7 days, 10am-4pm, garden entry fee applies.
January 2: Marion Arts & Friends from 6.30pm, $20 pre-purchase/$25 at gate, food available on site and picnics welcome, no BYO alcohol.
January 9: The Dixie Band.
January 16: Bonjour Swing (gypsy jazz with Marion Arts and Robbie Laven).
Further acts to be confirmed but there will be a performance each Sunday in January.
Find the Waihi Waterlily Gardens at 441 Pukekauri Rd, near Waihi. For more information go to www.waterlily.co.nz or phone 07 863 8267.