An Arboreal Ark
Located outside Gisborne, Eastwoodhill Arboretum holds a distinction unique in the Southern Hemisphere: the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere tree species south of the equator, and the recognized National Arboretum of New Zealand. NBW was engaged to develop a 100-year master plan for the 333-acre arboretum, working in close collaboration with the Eastwoodhill community to establish strategies for reorganization, phasing, and long-term institutional relevance.
What began as a private collection grew into a resource of global scientific importance as the threats of ecological change, disease, and deforestation sharpened over the twentieth century. New Zealand's geographic isolation and rigorous biosecurity protocols make Eastwoodhill an unusually reliable environment for cultivating threatened Northern Hemisphere species and studying tree disease and extinction — qualities that are increasingly rare and valuable as the scope of these threats grows. The master plan builds on this singular character, organizing the collection toward greater public legibility and international visibility.
The plan identifies a series of phased improvements to circulation, visitor infrastructure, and horticultural organization, allowing the arboretum to build incrementally toward a cohesive future. By pairing a long-horizon vision with actionable near-term priorities, the plan gives arboretum staff a clear framework for stewarding the collection's value across generations — positioning Eastwoodhill as both a living institution and a critical reserve for threatened species.
