Grown out of love
A couple’s love of nature and its aesthetics brought them together and inspired a bonsai garden and holistic studio.
Nora first met Adrian at one of his band’s late night shows in their Upper Queen Street loft, and stumbled upon Adrian’s surprisingly-placed bonsai collection. “It was here, in this small pocket of green in the depths of Auckland CBD, I knew I had met a kindred spirit,” says Nora.
From there, the couple’s shared love
of nature and its aesthetics led them to open a specialty plant store, Bioattic, on Ponsonby Road. “After six fond years we were ready to leave the city and expand on our ideas and start a family, searching for space and a blank canvas,” says Nora. It is in Hakaru, between Kaiwaka and Mangawhai, that their long-term dream of having an off-grid abode and bonsai garden began.
Within the evolving bonsai garden, Nora has set up Asami Holistic Studio, a sanctuary offering a meditative space for holistically- tailored beauty rituals and custom blended skincare. Nora is the founder and formulator of NZ skincare and perfume brand, Petalhead, having an extensive knowledge of the natural skincare industry, including 20 years of experience in renowned spas.
Adrian has been growing bonsai trees for nearly 30 years. From an early age, growing up within the family's varied horticultural businesses, Adrian developed a deep understanding of nature and its aesthetic beauty. After graduating from art school and working as a designer for 10 years (whilst also pursuing bonsai), and opening Bioattic, Adrian now works as a full-time bonsai professional, maintaining a growing number of bonsai collections throughout New Zealand.
After travelling the world in pursuit of the best bonsai gardens, Adrian is utilising elements and inspiration from his favourite international gardens to design the bonsai garden named ‘Hakaru-en’ (Hakaru is the name of the local river and also means measuring time in Japanese, while ‘en’ means garden). “My personal tree design tends towards the
more sculptural, abstract forms, to show age and beauty through adversity. The garden will showcase a display of both traditional Japanese bonsai trees, and New Zealand natives,” says Adrian.
In the near future the garden will be opening for viewing, alongside workshops including bonsai, perfume-making, and skincare. Asami Holistic Studio currently takes bookings a few days a week.
Hakaru-en garden and Asami Holistic Studio is a creative journey and evolving story that both Nora and Adrian are looking forward to sharing with the community.