Landscaping at Rangitahi with Ginny Watt

There’s a point in every building project where attention shifts beyond the walls of the home. The structure is complete, the interiors are coming together, and the exterior begins to matter just as much. At Rangitahi, where homes are set within coastal surroundings, landscaping plays a key role in how each house settles in and how it is experienced day to day.

We spoke with Ginny Watt, of For the Love of Landscape, whose work across Raglan reflects a practical and considered approach to outdoor spaces. Her projects show how thoughtful planning, well-chosen planting and an understanding of the local environment can shape gardens that are both functional and enduring.

Working With Raglan’s Conditions

Raglan is a place defined by its rugged environment. Wind, salt air and open exposure all play a part, and these conditions need to be carefully considered from the outset.

“Working with the sense of place is everything,” Ginny explains. Native trees, shrubs, groundcovers and climbers often form the foundation of her planting palettes, helping gardens sit comfortably within the wider landscape while also supporting birdlife and pollinators.

Equally important is how outdoor spaces are shaped to provide shelter. Without this, even the most beautifully designed garden can be difficult to enjoy. Layered planting, strategic screening and the placement of fixed structures can create protected pockets within a property, allowing outdoor areas to be enjoyed year-round.

Shelter is not an afterthought here. We encourage homeowners to factor this in as a key part of making their garden usable.

Shaping Space Beyond the House

Why work with a professional landscaper? Landscaping goes well beyond planting. It’s about how space is organised and how it supports everyday living.

At Rangitahi, the natural contours of the land create opportunities to work with levels. Sloping sites can be shaped into a series of defined areas, creating separate zones for entertaining, relaxing and practical use. Retaining and changes in elevation can help frame views, guide movement and add interest and structure to a site.

Ginny often works closely with clients to include features that reflect how they live. Outdoor showers for rinsing off after the beach, fire pits and sheltered seating areas, spaces for boat parking or fish preparation. These elements are considered early, so they feel integrated rather than add-ons.

This approach becomes even more valuable in areas like The Hideaway. With these larger sections becoming available within Rangitahi, there is greater scope to create distinct outdoor zones. These properties have space to include sheltered entertaining areas, productive gardens, and quieter spaces set back from the elements, all working together as part of a cohesive plan.

Productive and Practical Gardens

A well-designed garden can also be a productive one. Ginny is a strong advocate for including fruit trees, vegetable beds and herb gardens wherever possible.

These spaces are often designed as part of the overall layout, rather than being tucked away. A kitchen garden can sit alongside an outdoor entertaining area, while fruit trees can provide both structure and seasonal interest.

There is beauty and simplicity to this way of living. Stepping outside to gather herbs, picking fruit as it ripens, or bringing in flowers for the table becomes part of the everyday routine. Smaller spaces can also accommodate this when it is considered early in the design.

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Starting With a Plan

Behind each finished garden is a clear plan. Landscape concept drawings outline how a space will function, including levels, materials, planting and circulation.

For new builds, this early planning helps ensure that the house and garden work together from the beginning. It can reduce the need for changes later and allows practical considerations such as drainage, access and usability to be resolved before construction is complete. It also provides clarity: Instead of making decisions once the build is finished, there is a defined direction in place to work with.

Bringing It All Together

What stands out in Ginny’s work is a balanced approach. Each garden responds to its environment, supports the way people live, and is grounded in practical decisions that hold up over time.

As landscaping plans are signed off by Rangitahi as part of the approval process, and we love seeing all the creative ideas that homeowners and landscapers come up with together. Here, the landscape is such a defining part of the experience, and this approach helps create homes that feel settled and easy to live in from the outset.

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Ginny Watt

For the Love of Landscape

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