The Government House garden is a rare survivor from an era when many large New Zealand estates had landscaped grounds. Most such gardens have been subdivided, or completely redeveloped, or have become public parks. The garden is also of national significance for reasons other than its survival. It has many trees that are among the oldest of their kind in the country, and has retained the lava outcrops and original vegetation that was once a feature of the area. The design and the horticultural variety of the garden are also exceptional.
The large trees in the upper part of the garden were originally planted by a Mr Patterson, last century (c. 1865). Later, the central area, (what is now the Governor’s Lawn) was used as a paddock for the draught horses hauling stone from the quarry that has become Mt Eden Gardens. Later still, much of the area’s topsoil was removed- the lawn’s original ground level is probably that of the earth within the rock wall that surrounds the old pear.
In 1930, Sir Frank Crossley Mappin and Lady Ruby Mappin bought the land and added many trees along the boundaries. They also planted the flowering trees and shrubs that are a springtime feature of the upper garden. During World War II, the lawn was turned into a vegetable plot, growing produce for the servicemen’s families. (Government House brochure)
The house and property, originally called 'Birchlands' by the Mappins, was gifted to the Crown in 1962. The deed of gift, signed by Sir Frank, and Prime Minister Keith Holyoake on 23 May that year states the property is gifted 'upon trust for Her Majesty her heirs and successors according to law as a site for Government House in Auckland for ever' (Wikipedia, Government House, accessed 5.09.13)