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Bridge, pond, lily pads, fish and crocodile heads at Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand

Ngatea Water Gardens: Nature with a Sense of Humour in New Zealand

You are here: Home / Travel / New Zealand / North Island (excluding Auckland) / Ngatea Water Gardens: Nature with a Sense of Humour in New Zealand

Last Updated: February 28, 2021 // by Rhonda Albom // 47 Comments

Offering surprises around every corner, Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand exceeded our expectations on every level. While the landscape is beyond lovely and the birds and fish plentiful, it is both the owner’s sense of humour and the massive “Can Museum” that caught us off guard.

The five-acre water gardens are the design and creation of owners Roger and Emma Blake, but the humour is all Roger. The grounds are attractive, and their gardening expertise shines through. The paved walking path makes the facility accessible to everyone.

Ngatea Water Gardens

If you visit only for the beautiful water gardens, you won’t be disappointed. The meticulously cared for grounds, gardens, and the water features highlight the attention to detail. Although manmade, the details make you forget that fact. For example, a massive 10HP pump powers the waterfall behind the bridge in the photo below.

Waterfall in Ngatea gardens in New Zealand
Waterwheel at Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand
A waterwheel.
Fountain at Ngatea Water Gardens nz
One of several fountains on the grounds.
Cactus at Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand
There are a variety of flora throughout Ngatea Water Gardens.
Ngatea Water Gardens, Ngatea New Zealand
Old, weathered wood was used to make this bench as well as several other features at the water gardens. And the humour creeps in everywhere, notice the upside-down anchor over the water.

Do you know how to pronounce Ngatea?
In the Maori language, the “g” is silent in the combination of ‘Ng’, therefore, the town name is pronounced “Na-tee-a.” 
Click here to hear it pronounced.

New Zealand highlights on Albom Adventures

Ngatea Water Gardens birds, fish, and turtles

Your low entrance fee covers pretty much everything. However, we recommend adding a bag of their fish/bird food on your way into the gardens, as feeding the ducks, geese, and fish added to our fun.

Feeding ducks and geese at the water gardens in Ngatea NZ
The ducks and geese enthusiastically take food out of our hands.
Bridge, pond, lily pads, fish and crocodile heads at Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand
The large pond filled with lily pads and fish set the scene for relaxation – until you notice the crocodiles in the water. (Don’t worry, they are only floating crocodile heads).
Ngatea Water Gardens is home to some of the oldest turtles in New Zealand.
Ngatea Water Gardens is home to some of the oldest turtles in New Zealand.
Bird aviary at Ngatea Water Gardens, Ngatea New Zealand
A few birds live in the aviary shown here. In the background, you can see King Arthur’s castle. If you visit it, be sure to heed the warnings on the sign telling you not to press certain buttons. (see humour section below, and remember, you were warned.)

Ngatea Water Gardens’ sense of humour

The sign on the door reads: “Warning: Joke Zone, Sense of humour required beyond this point. You have entered a property with high concentrations of jokes and humorous scenes. We are not responsible for any health problems arising from excessive laughter while viewing this amazing attraction.”

Furthermore, it’s all true. The humour is everywhere, but subtle. If one ignored all the signage around the gardens (most of it is jokes) and just looked at the beauty, then maybe one could get through the water gardens without a laugh. But you sure would miss out.

My sense of humour matches Roger’s and so I read everything and took time to explore each nook and cranny. For instance, one might walk past this outhouse and just find it odd decor, without looking a bit closer at the feet.

Humorous outhouse at the Water Gardens Ngatea, New Zealand
I know that co-ed bathroom stalls are common in New Zealand, but not like this. If you’re not giggling, take a closer look.
Sword and stone in New Zealand
Can Jeff remove the sword from the stone?

A few of my other favourite funny spots:

Ngatea Water Gardens humour signs in New Zealand
Clockwise: “Boat Parking only”
“Just married, Do Not Disturb”
Fisherman anchored next to “No Fishing” sign
“You are here”

Arthur’s Canny Museum

Then we opened a door and found Arthur’s Canny Museum . . . and stood speechless for a few moments.

With over 11,000 cans on display, this is one massively impressive room. When Arthur Blake began collecting cans in 1989, I doubt he ever thought it would become the only collection of beverage cans on display to the public in New Zealand.

This “Can Museum” is like nothing I have seen. There are plenty of labels I recognize, intermixed with antique beer cans and other rare items. This is much more than a beer can collection.

Arthur's Can Museum Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand
One of three rows of Arthur Blake’s beer and soda can collection.
Row of old cans featuring various women at Arthur's Canny Museum in New Zealand
The women on the cans in the upper image caught my eye, as did all the old coke cans in the lower image.

Visiting Ngatea Water Gardens

  • Ngatea Water Gardens is on Darlington Street, just off State Highway 2 (SH2) and across the street from the Ngatea gem factory.
  • The drive from Coromandel, Hamilton, Tauranga or Auckland to Ngatea is only about one hour.
  • Ngatea is often just a service stop for travellers. Don’t make this mistake, you will be missing out on a real gem. We visited Ngatea as part of an Auckland to Wellington road trip.
  • The Ngatea gardens are open Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm (summer) and only on Sunday in the winter (May to September). They also open by appointment. Check their official webpage for details.

Stay in Paeroa

If you are looking for Ngatea accommodation, may we suggest staying in nearby Paeroa. Just 20 minutes away, in Paeroa, you will find the antiquing capital of New Zealand as well as home to our unofficial national drink, L&P (which stands for Lemon and Paeroa and is now owned by Coca-Cola).
Check for pricing and availability at Paeroa accommodations

And while in Paeroa, don’t miss the giant 6 metre-tall L&P bottle. Actually, not missing it would be more difficult as it is in the centre of town on State Hwy 2, just beyond the round-about with State Hwy 26.

The giant L&P bottle in Paeroa New Zealand
The giant L&P bottle in Paeroa is taller than the trees.

Don’t miss these other great things to do in the Coromandel region.

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  • Nature, humour and a can museum are all at Ngatea Water Gardens in New Zealand

Have you been to Ngatea Water Gardens?

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Disclaimer: We were guests of Ngatea Water Garden. However, the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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Category: North Island (excluding Auckland)Tag: Birds, funny story, Gardens

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy

    April 11, 2020 at 11:11 am

    What a gorgeous place – breathtaking!

    Reply
  2. Karla Ramos

    May 24, 2018 at 4:13 am

    Oh I love this! This garden looks really relaxing, almost homey. My grandmother’s house kind of give me the same vibes! I love it!

    Reply
  3. Erin Gustafson

    May 24, 2018 at 2:39 am

    I love a quirky collection! What an unexpected bonus to the beautiful gardens. That can collection is amazing! Thanks for the pronunciation guide – always good to try to say it correctly. Emphasis on the try. Especially in Denmark.

    Reply
  4. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    May 23, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    What a fun place to visit! I would be exploring everything too and reading all the fun signs. Love unique attractions like these that can entertain visitors. That is an impressive collection of cans. This was a great find!

    Reply
  5. Jitaditya

    May 23, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    Loved the quirky design…
    I could not exactly describe the garden in words… I guess that is why it is quirky… he he…
    Somewhere there is a medieval, old world charm to it too…

    Reply
  6. Ghia Lorenzo

    May 23, 2018 at 2:55 am

    What a very nice garden this is. This place is so relaxing, indeed perfect to unwind and to breathe in some fresh air. I love the decoration and the animals living in this garden.

    Reply
  7. Clare

    May 23, 2018 at 1:42 am

    Oh I’d LOVE to go here, Rhonda! It looks so much fun. I love a bit of a laugh – even more so in a surprising place like a garden. And some of those cans look absolutely beautiful.

    Reply
  8. Indrani

    May 22, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    Interesting garden and pool decorations. I thought those crocodiles were real.
    Such interesting collections they have. A place worth visiting.

    Reply
  9. Joyce Lansky

    May 22, 2018 at 11:16 am

    Beautiful photos of pretty places.

    Reply
  10. Kimmie Conner

    May 22, 2018 at 8:08 am

    I love that its a beutiful place to visit already, but the jokes make it THAT much better! what a cool place! It’s on my list now 🙂

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 22, 2018 at 9:40 am

      I agree, the jokes made the place really fun.

      Reply
  11. sara

    May 22, 2018 at 1:11 am

    Love the sense of humour in these gardens. But really want to know what happens if you don’t follow the signs in the castle and push the buttons??

    That canny museum is, umm, wow, quite extensive!

    Didn’t realise it was located so close to Paeroa. L&P is a great cocktail mixer 😉

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 22, 2018 at 9:37 am

      We disobeyed two signs, one was a do not stand here, the other was the do not push this button on the castle – both times we got wet, appropriate since it is a water garden.

      Reply
  12. Nancie

    May 21, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    Lovely place to spend a day. The fountain looks like something from the Halifax Public Gardens. It must be that British influence.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 22, 2018 at 9:34 am

      Halifax is somewhere still on my bucket list.

      Reply
  13. Amy Franks

    May 21, 2018 at 6:17 pm

    I’ve never been to the water gardens, we’ve drive past it plenty of times but keep meaning to stop in, although someone told me recently it’s become a bit run down.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 22, 2018 at 9:34 am

      Interesting. I was never there before, but it didn’t feel run down to me. I took the photos in April 2018.

      Reply
  14. amit

    May 21, 2018 at 10:48 am

    Haha, I did laugh as the coed toilet, gotta love the sense of humour on show here – The gardens do look quite nice and shame I missed them while I was in New Zealand (I spent a year out there.) I like how the humour was put in subtle places making you look that bit harder, and I’m sure as soon as you spotted it you were in stitches 🙂

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 22, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Perhaps on our next visit. No one can spend a year here and not want to come back some day.

      Reply
  15. Followingtherivera

    May 21, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Loving the look and vibe of these gardens! I didn’t know how to pronounce it so thanks for the tip! Also like the sense of humour surrounding the place; i didn’t see the men’s feet in the toilet either!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 21, 2018 at 10:44 am

      LOL – I didn’t know how to pronounce it either, and I have lived in New Zealand for 16 years.

      Reply
  16. Jenn and Ed Coleman

    May 20, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    I think it would be the can museum that gets me in the door. Anything that is “Biggest” is of some interest, but it looks like there is a legitimate slice of history and culture in there. In particular, what is “cool” and sellable during any particular time. Sometimes, it’s the most sublime items that give you the biggest insights.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 21, 2018 at 10:43 am

      Honestly, the can museum was a big surprise to me, I came for the water gardens and was delighted with all the bonuses I got.

      Reply
  17. Carol Colborn

    May 20, 2018 at 7:26 am

    Good that part of the 5-acre Ngatea Water Gardens is imbued with laughter. Love the coed outhouse! I have never seen a Can Museum before!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 20, 2018 at 10:10 am

      Honestly, at first glance, I didn’t notice the second set of feet. The guy who set up this place has a fabulous, albeit quirky, sense of humour.

      Reply
  18. Rachel Heller

    May 20, 2018 at 2:51 am

    I’m not that big of a fan of gardens; I’ll visit if I’m there, but I won’t go out of the way to see them. In the case of Ngatea Water Gardens, though, the visual jokes make it sound worth it!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 20, 2018 at 10:08 am

      And don’t forget the can museum.

      Reply
  19. Jody Robbins

    May 20, 2018 at 1:05 am

    What a fun, quirky attraction. I love places like this. The gardens looked lovely and tranquil, and then you’ve got the added bonus of the odd can museum. Love it.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 20, 2018 at 10:07 am

      Lovely and tranquil are great descriptors for the gardens.

      Reply
  20. Anda

    May 19, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    Ngatea Water Gardens look quite similar to the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. The same kind of landscape and vegetation. Even the same kind of ponds and little turtles. The sword in the stone however I didn’t see at the Huntington Gardens.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 20, 2018 at 10:06 am

      Next time I am in LA I will check out Huntington Gardens. I loved Ngatea Water Gardens, so anywhere similar would be a treat too.

      Reply
  21. goblinette

    May 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm

    Lovely gardens with lovely crocodiles 🙂 I like the sword in a stone, probably waiting for King Arthur.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 20, 2018 at 10:06 am

      I have not heard the two words “lovely” and “crocodile” used together before today. 🙂

      Reply
  22. Hilary

    May 19, 2018 at 9:54 am

    Hi Rhonda – looks amazing and oh yes … to have some giggles while we admire the stunning gardens … and nearby too (to you granted!) cheers Hilary

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 20, 2018 at 10:05 am

      I live north of Auckland, so it’s a bit farther for me, but yes it was a great find.

      Reply
  23. Comedy Plus

    May 19, 2018 at 3:03 am

    What a lovely place. I love water gardens. They are so very calming.

    I would have loved looking through all those cans. A slice of history.

    Love the outhouse.

    Have a fabulous day and weekend, Rhonda. ♥

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 19, 2018 at 10:42 am

      Agreed. It is a wonderful place to visit and I am sure you will love it.

      Reply
  24. Wednesday Elf

    May 19, 2018 at 1:58 am

    What a fun (and truly beautiful) place to visit. I would love to see the Ngatea Water Gardens in person, but your virtual tour by photographs and delightful descriptions is almost as good. Love the places you find on your travels.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 19, 2018 at 10:41 am

      I only showed some of it, there are plenty of surprises left for you to find on your own.

      Reply
  25. L. Diane Wolfe

    May 19, 2018 at 12:59 am

    I love the can collection. I’d be happy to feed fish and ducks, too.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 19, 2018 at 10:40 am

      I was blown away by the cans. I just didn’t expect anything so big when I went through the door.

      Reply
  26. Jill

    May 18, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    I don’t believe I would have entertained the idea of visiting a garden when I was younger – and am certain that I missed out on quite a bit. This one looks like a beautiful – and fun – place to visit. Especially the outhouse 😉 And how about the can collection – very impressive!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 18, 2018 at 5:45 pm

      With the ducks and King Arthur’s castle, Ngatea Water Gardens really are for all ages. The humour, while some a bit of double entendre, was all clean.

      Reply
  27. Ryan Biddulph

    May 18, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    A hearty LOL on Roger’s sense of humor Rhonda! Especially the feet peaking out from the outhouse. Up my silly alley. Factor in the beauty of the place, wildlife – some ancient like the turtles – and you have a winning spot. Can museum is the topper as it is genuine. I mean, I never knew can museums existed. Love it.

    Ryan

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 18, 2018 at 5:43 pm

      I am with you, we have the same sense of humour. This place is great. If you are driving up the country when you come to Auckland next month, stop here on the way.

      Reply
  28. Alex J. Cavanaugh

    May 18, 2018 at 11:54 am

    All on five acres? Very impressive! Dig the amount of cans. And yes, I caught the feet on the outhouse.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      May 18, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      It’s compact, with so much to see. And as for the cans, wow, it was almost overwhelming.

      Reply

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Rhonda Albom bio imageCapturing the essence of travel through photography, Albom Adventures inspires young baby boomers to travel New Zealand and the world. Together, Rhonda and Jeff have visted 63 countries on 6 continents.

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