The Giants House

Introduction

The Giants House in Akaroa, on the Banks Peninsula of New Zealand, is a truly wondrous destination that blends art, horticulture and historic architecture. Located just over an hour and a half east of Christchurch, this delightful garden and gallery is set around a grand late‑nineteenth‑century house. Visitors to The Giants House will find a visual feast of colour, sculpture and intricate mosaic work entwined with lush terraced gardens, all nestled within a sheltered valley that opens towards the harbour.

About the Museum

The Giants House is centred around a historic house built in 1880 (or 1881) for Akaroa’s first Bank of New Zealand manager, constructed from native tōtara and kauri timbers. It features a stately entrance hall with a mahogany staircase imported from France, original fireplaces, elegantly proportioned rooms, a mosaic‑tiled conservatory floor, a sunny sheltered verandah, quirky bathrooms, a bright farmhouse kitchen, and bedrooms each displaying unique artistic flourishes. This house remains the artist‑owner’s personal residence and is not open for interior tours as part of general admission.

Surrounding the house is a terraced mosaic garden created by Josie Martin, a trained horticulturalist and accomplished painter, sculptor and ceramicist. Beginning with the discovery of broken china shards on the property, she transformed the bare grounds into vibrant garden rooms filled with sculptural mosaics, welded steel creations and colourful plantings including roses, citrus, vegetables, succulents, perennials and box hedges. The result is an exuberant, playful and romantic landscape that surprises around every corner.

The garden is recognised officially as a Garden of National Significance since 2012 and elevated to Garden of International Significance in 2018. Visitors may wander winding pathways through interconnected terraces, enjoy views across the valley and harbour, and pause at mosaic installations such as the sculpted grand piano, mosaic benches, animal figures, and whimsical characters. Music from sculpted installations and water features add sensory delight.

Adjacent to the gardens is a contemporary art gallery displaying Josie Martin’s paintings, sculptures and ceramics. The gallery also plays a short film that introduces visitors to Josie’s creative world. During the summer months, an onsite café called the Artist’s Palate serves snacks, lunch and afternoon tea, offering a relaxed spot to linger amid the garden’s charm.

The Giants House is open daily except Christmas Day. From 1 October through 30 April the hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; from 1 May through 30 September the hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission includes both the garden and art gallery and does not require advance booking for individuals or families.

Interesting Facts

• The name “The Giants House” was inspired when a small child looked up from the valley and declared that such a grand house must belong to a giant.
• The artist‑owner, Josie Martin, is both a qualified horticulturalist and a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, and has completed over twenty art residencies overseas.
• The house itself includes a mahogany staircase imported from France and original fireplaces, contrasting Victorian elegance with the exuberant contemporary garden.
• Many sculptures reach up to five metres in height, assembled from millions of shards of broken crockery, glass and tile combined with welded steel frames.
• The garden has received multiple awards and media coverage, including the title “Castle of the Year” on a national television programme, and has featured in international design and garden magazines and shows.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +643 304 7501

Website: thegiantshouse.co.nz/

Facebook: facebook.com/thegiantshouse/

Conclusion

The Giants House in Akaroa is a singular experience that fuses the heritage charm of a grand historic house with an imaginative garden that feels as if it sprang from a fairy tale. Under the care of artist and horticulturalist Josie Martin, the property has been transformed into a joyful, surprising and visually stunning wonderland. Visitors can wander through terraced gardens filled with hand‑crafted sculptures, relax in the art gallery, and savour refreshments in a quirky café—all while soaking up views over a tranquil valley and harbour. Whether one stays for an hour or lingers longer, The Giants House promises inspiration, delight and a deeply memorable visit.