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Spring is just around the corner, and in Northland, that means gardens are about to burst back into life. With our warmer climate and longer growing season, gardens around Kerikeri can start getting busy earlier than many parts of New Zealand. If you've been putting off those bigger outdoor jobs over winter, now is a great time to get organised before the garden really gets going. From refreshing tired garden beds to creating new outdoor living spaces, here are seven landscap

If you've been hearing the words El Niño mentioned in the weather forecast lately, you might be wondering what it actually means, and whether it will make a difference to your garden. New Zealand is currently experiencing the early stages of an El Niño event, with Earth Sciences New Zealand expecting it to strengthen and reach its peak during the 2026–27 summer. El Niño can influence New Zealand's weather patterns, although it doesn't mean every day or every region will exper

If you’ve noticed puddles sitting in your garden or lawn long after the rain has stopped, you’re not alone. With Northland’s wet winters and heavy rainfall, drainage problems can quickly become obvious. For homeowners in the Bay of Islands, good drainage is an important part of creating a healthy, usable garden. A small amount of water after heavy rain is normal, but persistent pooling can damage lawns, plants, soil and even nearby structures. The good news is that once you u

When people think of Northland, they imagine warm temperatures all year round. But as many of us have discovered this week, even Kerikeri and parts of the Bay of Islands aren't immune to the odd frosty morning. While a light frost can make the landscape look beautiful, it can also catch homeowners by surprise, affecting gardens, creating slippery surfaces, and highlighting areas of the property that could benefit from a little extra planning. Looking After Your Plants Some pl

People often ask us where the name Kererū Development came from. The answer is simple, it started with a bird. Our owner, Ali, has always loved New Zealand's native wildlife, especially the magnificent kererū (New Zealand wood pigeon). They're one of our country's most recognisable native birds, famous for the distinctive sound of their wings as they fly overhead and their important role in keeping our forests healthy. Choosing the name Kererū wasn't just about liking the bir

A pergola can completely change the way you use your garden. Whether you're creating a quiet place to relax, defining an outdoor dining area, or adding character to a new landscape, a pergola provides both style and function. The best part? There isn't just one type of pergola. There are plenty of options to suit different homes, lifestyles, and budgets. A Bespoke Timber Pergola If you're looking for something truly unique, a custom-built timber pergola can be designed to pe

There’s something timeless about natural timber. Whether it’s a welcoming entrance, a place to entertain family and friends, or simply defining different areas of your garden, timber has a way of making an outdoor space feel warm, inviting, and connected to its surroundings. For many homeowners in Kerikeri, timber landscaping strikes the perfect balance between functionality and natural beauty. It complements both modern homes and traditional properties, while blending seamle

We may be in the depths on winter but summer will be here before we know it. Summer in the Bay of Islands is all about making the most of the outdoors. Long evenings, family gatherings, BBQs with friends, and enjoying the warmer weather are all part of the lifestyle that makes places like Kerikeri such a great place to live. But is your outdoor space ready for it? For many homeowners, the dream of a summer-ready backyard is more than just having a lawn and a few garden beds.

Many properties have areas that are technically part of the yard, but they aren’t really being used. A sloping section that is difficult to mow, a forgotten corner that has become overgrown, a narrow side access that feels like wasted space, or an outdoor area that doesn’t flow well with your home — these are all common challenges we see when working on properties around Northland. The good news is that these areas often have more potential than homeowners realise. With thoug

Sometimes a garden doesn’t need a complete overhaul — it just needs the right improvements to bring it back to life. Over time, gardens change. Plants grow, layouts become outdated, drainage issues appear, and spaces that once worked well no longer suit how we use our homes. For many properties around Kerikeri and the Bay of Islands, the landscape has developed gradually over many years. What was once a simple garden can become overgrown, difficult to maintain, or no longer f

If you had $10,000 to spend on your property tomorrow, where would you put it? It's a question many homeowners ask, especially when considering future resale value or simply wanting to get more enjoyment from their home. The answer might surprise you. While kitchen and bathroom renovations often get the attention, outdoor improvements can have a significant impact on both property value and buyer appeal. In fact, the exterior of your home is the first thing visitors and poten

After several rounds of heavy rain and strong winds, many property owners are discovering issues they may not have noticed during the drier months. Winter is often when a property's weak points become obvious. Water starts pooling where it shouldn't, lawns become boggy, driveways begin to wash out, and slopes can show signs of erosion. While these issues can be frustrating, they also provide valuable insight into how your property is performing during challenging weather cond

As the days become shorter across the Bay of Islands, outdoor lighting becomes far more important around the home. Entering winter means darker mornings, earlier sunsets, and increased wet weather — all of which can affect the safety, usability, and appearance of your property. This time of year is ideal for upgrading or adding landscape lighting to key areas around your home and garden. Well-placed lighting not only improves visibility but can completely transform how outdoo

Not every property is straightforward — and honestly, that’s part of what we enjoy most. At Kererū Development, some of our most rewarding projects have involved difficult access, steep terrain, tight spaces, or complex planning requirements. Whether it’s working on sloping sections, repairing retaining walls in confined areas, navigating limited machinery access, or coordinating works around neighbouring properties, challenging projects often require a higher level of proble

Not every landscaping project is straightforward — and this recent retaining wall repair in Kerikeri was a great example of the importance of planning, collaboration, and quality workmanship. The existing retaining wall behind the client’s property had deteriorated over time and was beginning to raise concerns around long-term stability and safety. Because the wall sat between neighbouring properties on sloping ground, access to the site was particularly challenging. To compl

As the weather begins to cool in the Bay of Islands, autumn is the ideal time to prepare your property for the months ahead. One of the simplest but most effective ways to improve the health and appearance of your garden is through quality mulching. Mulch does far more than just make garden beds look tidy. It plays a major role in protecting soil, retaining moisture, regulating temperature, and suppressing weeds. Heading into winter, these benefits become even more important.

Every now and then, it’s important to turn our attention to our own backyard. What started as a gradual improvement project at our home in Kerikeri — which also serves as the base for Kererū Development — has been evolving over many years and is now finally complete. This space has grown and changed alongside our business, giving us the opportunity to refine ideas, test solutions, and continuously improve the layout and functionality of the property. It’s been a long-term lan

With severe rain and strong winds forecast across the Bay of Islands over the next few days, it’s important for everyone to take care and stay safe. Periods of heavy weather like this can put pressure on homes, gardens, and outdoor spaces, particularly in areas prone to surface water and wind exposure. For those in Kerikeri and surrounding areas, now is the time to stay alert — secure loose outdoor items, keep drains clear where possible, and avoid unnecessary travel during p

Autumn in the Bay of Islands brings cooler temperatures, shorter days, and more regular rainfall. While Northland enjoys a relatively mild winter compared with the rest of the country, the change in season is still an important time to prepare your property. A little preparation now can prevent common winter problems and keep your garden, landscaping, and outdoor spaces looking their best. For many homeowners in and around Kerikeri, one of the biggest concerns heading into wi

Last week, we were proud to sponsor the Iron Mahue event held in beautiful Mahinepua, Kaeo. Events like this showcase not only the incredible natural environment we’re lucky to live and work in, but also the strength and spirit of our local community. At Kererū Development, we believe supporting community initiatives is just as important as the landscaping and building work we do across Kerikeri and the wider Bay of Islands. Local events bring people together, encourage healt