The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
From quarry to canvas: Nature's art gallery in the heart of Waikato
The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
From quarry to canvas: Nature's art gallery in the heart of Waikato
Where bare greywacke rock once scarred the landscape as a quarry, over 30,000 trees and one of New Zealand’s largest outdoor galleries now stand. The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum is more than a transformation story, it's a testament to what vision, patience, and dedication can achieve over 34 years.
Located in Tauwhare, just 20 kilometres east of Hamilton, this 17.5-hectare landscape has become a true asset to the Waikato district.
The story began in 1991 when Dorothy and John Wakeling purchased a depleted quarry site. Their dream was simple: to plant trees and live among them. What they created became something far more significant, a thriving art-in-nature experience where creativity and environmental restoration work hand in hand.
"Looking back, one defining moment for me was when we truly recognised the full landscape potential of the rocks, cliffs, and waterways," reflects Dorothy. "The great fun we had shifting rocks and creating a structure that would work for visitors, finding the perfect spots for sculptures and designing trails for people to enjoy stands out as a highlight of our journey. It was in those moments that the vision for the park really came to life."
The park represents exactly the kind of innovative, sustainable tourism destination that enriches the cultural fabric of the Waikato while demonstrating world-class land rehabilitation.
Today, the park is home to over 100 New Zealand-made sculptures nestled among diverse plantings from around the world. The trees are registered as a permanent forest under New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme, providing significant long-term carbon sequestration.
The park serves as a living model of land rehabilitation, proving that even the most damaged landscapes can be restored to life and purpose. It's a place of recreation and inspiration, where art sparks imagination, diverse plantings encourage learning about biodiversity and resilience, and people gather to reconnect.
Experiences that restore and create memories
Beyond the walking trails and guided tours, the park offers rich experiences throughout the year. The Roosting Ruru Cafe, established in 2023, provides refreshments with views overlooking the tranquil lake. School groups benefit from education resource packs learning about global biodiversity, land rehabilitation, and New Zealand birdlife.
Visitors can spot tuis, fantails, and the park's namesake ruru, in their natural habitat. For those seeking a deeper immersion, the Ruru Retreat bed and breakfast offers two-night stays where guests can wake to birdsong among the trees.
The park's creative workshops have become beloved community experiences. From Saori weaving, a unique Japanese textile art taught by instructors trained in Japan, to metal clay jewellery making, green wood carving demonstrations, Lakota drum-making, and magical lantern-making sessions for children, these hands-on experiences connect people with traditional crafts in a natural setting. The park also hosts boutique weddings, annual sculpture exhibitions, creative play months for families, and photography competitions that celebrate the landscape's changing beauty.
Under the stewardship of the Art-in-Nature Arboretum Trust and the Waitakaruru Arboretum Stewardship Foundation, the park continues to evolve and operates as a registered charity. The recent appointment of Antoinette Van der Weerden as park manager marks an exciting new chapter, bringing her expertise in landscape design and horticulture to guide the park's future development.
Antoinette says the beauty of this park continues to amaze her. “This morning, kererū swooped overhead while our volunteers enjoyed a morning tea, a simple moment that captured the strong sense of community that lives here.”
She says that the spirit can only grow stronger as they welcome people of all ages to experience the park. “I’m excited to build on the strong foundations already in place, caring for what we have, enhancing the park’s natural character, and fostering deeper connections both within its ecological systems and with the people who visit and support it.”
A unique corporate and team-building destination
The park has also emerged as an innovative space for corporate gatherings and team building, offering businesses a chance to step into an environment that naturally fosters creativity, collaboration, and fresh thinking.
The open boardroom provides a tranquil setting for management meetings, while the artist shelter overlooks the peaceful lake, an ideal backdrop for strategic planning sessions.
‘Unconfined the Quest’ is a custom-designed outdoor game, that transforms the entire park into an interactive puzzle. This two-hour experience is an outdoor variation of popular escape rooms, with teams using locked boxes scattered throughout the park to solve riddles and challenges. It tests both cooperation skills and competitive edge, making it perfect for social clubs, extended family gatherings, corporate events, and Christmas parties.
Beyond structured games, the park offers a variety of interactive activities tailored to different fitness levels and interests. Teams can create seed balls, build rafts to float on the pond, participate in outdoor creative workshops, or enjoy curated nature walks.
A vision for the future
In 2025, stewardship of the park was entrusted to the Waitakaruru Arboretum Stewardship Foundation, securing its future as a cherished resource for the Waikato and New Zealand. The Foundation is dedicated to revitalising and safeguarding this previously overlooked landscape, shaping it into a sanctuary where nature, creativity, and community flourish. Their mission is to conserve and enhance the park’s natural heritage for the enjoyment of all, and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship, cultural traditions, and the arts.
What sets this gem apart is how it invites people of all ages to reconnect with the environment, to find respite from modern life's pressures, and to let their creative spirits roam free – and this is something that both Dorothy and John see as integral to our communities moving forward.
The park is also the result of countless hours given generously by dedicated volunteers, passionate staff, and generous supporters. It has been a real community-driven effort right from the beginning.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm, Waitakaruru Sculpture Park is testament that renewal is possible when vision meets commitment. Here, where a quarry once stood, nature and creativity work hand in hand to prove that the most unlikely spaces can become places of beauty and connection.
Learn more about The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum at www.sculpturepark.co.nz
For more information about Corporate Events: https://www.sculpturepark.co.nz/business-events
