The renovations progressing well at St Peter the Fisherman in Dundas Street, Whitianga.
At first glance, St Peter the Fisherman looks much like many small community churches throughout New Zealand.
The congregation is not large. The church building, originally constructed around 1966 and formerly known as the church hall, sits quietly in a suburban Whitianga street.
The grounds were simple – a wide expanse of mown grass surrounding a well-loved building.
It was functional, but hardly inspiring.
For a church that regularly hosts weddings, baptisms, funerals and community gatherings, the setting lacked the sense of occasion that such milestones deserve.
Couples could exchange vows inside the church, but outside there were few flowers, no welcoming entranceway and little to encourage visitors.
Yet beneath the surface, St Peter the Fisherman was thriving.
Through the generosity of parishioners, and donations from the wider community, the church has continued to grow at a time when many religious buildings across the country have been forced into mothballs.
The question became: what if the grounds reflected that same sense of life and renewal? The answer began with a conversation.
What if an exterior makeover encouraged Whitianga residents to take a second look at the church? The grounds could become a welcoming place for reflection, remembrance and celebration.
There was no grand landscape plan. Instead, there was a can of spray paint, a vision, and a willingness to trust the process.
Local builders JD Hoyland embraced the challenge. The instructions were refreshingly straightforward: lines painted on the grass marked where winding pathways should go, while a couple of carefully positioned stones suggested the route visitors might one day follow.
What has emerged is far more than a simple garden makeover. One of the most meaningful features is the Memorial Walk. Designed as a place of remembrance, the pathway will provide space for memorial plaques honouring loved ones and people of significance to this church. An inspired suggestion from Jason of JD Hoyland introduced timber inserts into the concrete path, creating texture, depth and visual interest. At the end of the walk, seating and garden plantings will provide visitors with a quiet place to sit and reflect and remember those whose memories remain close to their hearts.
Engineer and member of the congregation, Michael Bates contributed plans for a traditional lych gate; a fitting entrance for an Anglican church. Historically, lych gates have welcomed generations of worshippers attending weddings, funerals and Sunday services. St Peter’s version has been thoughtfully adapted to suit the site while retaining that sense of arrival and ceremony.
Another significant feature will be the installation of three pou (carved poles) near the St Peter the Fisherman entrance sign. Representing the Christian Trinity, and the three Tikanga model of the Anglican church in Aotearoa New Zealand, the carved poles will serve as a visible expression of faith while acknowledging the importance of Māori culture.
The landscape design reflects both the church’s values and New Zealand’s bicultural heritage. Native plantings will feature prominently throughout the grounds, with a more traditional Kiwi-style garden near the mobility parking area. Parishioners have committed to donating plants.
The transformation is already evident. What was once a largely open lawn is becoming a place with purpose. Paths invite exploration. Gardens encourage visitors to pause. Seating provides opportunities for conversation. Future weddings will have a more beautiful setting for photographs.
Families remembering loved ones will have a peaceful place to gather.
Most importantly, the project demonstrates what can happen when people have a common vision and work together to achieve it.
St Peter the Fisherman is not building a grand cathedral. It is creating a welcoming garden where faith, community, remembrance and beauty can grow side by side. Like the congregation itself, the garden is being built not overnight, but through patience, generosity and hope.
