St Mary's Bay House: 2025 Silver medallist

Silver in Residential Build (Up to $250,000), Residential Design (up to 500m²) and Maintenance (up to 1,500m²), Landscapes of Distinction Awards 2025. St Marys Bay, Auckland. By Humphreys Landscaping.

The brief was a serene, visually captivating courtyard that felt like an extension of the home, with a water feature as its focal point. High existing block walls, kept for privacy, had to be softened, and existing Cupressus totems retained as central features.

Humphreys Landscaping worked in a confined space with eleven trades and exacting tolerances. Garonne limestone paving in mid-grey tones softens the courtyard, while a Negresco leathered granite slab, pre-templated from a single piece for uninterrupted veining, forms a sculptural water feature. Strategic planting frames it for an ever-changing view. The owners say the courtyard exceeded their expectations.

Why it matters

Every Registered Master Landscaper has earned the right to carry the mark, so the professional you hire is current, accountable, and backed by a national association that stands behind its work. Find a Registered Master Landscaper at masterlandscapers.org.nz.