Domain Wintergardens

Story

The Domain Wintergardens is a complex of gardens located within the Auckland Domain. It is registered with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a Category I historic place.DescriptionThe Wintergardens consists of two large glasshouses: one non-heated Temperate House and one Tropical House (heated to an average of 28 °C). In between the two glasshouses there is an ornate courtyard with several neoclassical statues and a sunken pond in the centre. Off to one side is the Fernery which is situated within the site of an old quarry.HistoryThe Domain Wintergardens were constructed following World War I with funds generated from the Industrial, Agricultural and Mining Exhibition of 1913-1914 (which was held at the same site). Additional funding for the Wintergardens came from a variety of other local benefactors. Perhaps most significantly was local businessman Sir George Elliot, who was the chairman of the exhibition, and also chairman of the Bank of New Zealand.The Auckland Domain had been a public park since 1844 but was considered to be an area that was frequented by "undesirables". The Wintergardens were considered to be part of the gentrification of the park, providing an attraction for people in the area during the winter months.ConstructionThe gardens were designed by Gummer and Ford, showing considerable influence from the English partnership of Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll and the Arts and Crafts movement.