Josie and Julian Robertson envisioned and developed three incredible properties in New Zealand – Matakauri Lodge (Queenstown), Cape Kidnappers (Hawke’s Bay) and Kauri Cliffs (Matauri Bay). They are very tastefully done and beautifully integrated with the natural landscape of each area. Sadly, Josephine passed away in 2010, and while I never knew her, her memory lives on in the beauty she created in these properties with her husband.
I met Julian during our final stop in New Zealand – at Kauri Cliffs and asked him which property was his favorite of the three. “Kauri Cliffs,” he answered without pause. He feels most comfortable in his home here, it’s the property that Josephine was most involved in creating and he has a lot of friends in the area.
I can attest to the magic of the beauty Josie created through her tropical and verdant gardens here – ferns, palm trees, norwich pine trees, intimate pathways, all of which create the feeling of a secret garden. Although Josephine is no longer with us, we will never forget her for the beauty she created for us, through her gardens. What a wonderful gift and legacy.
