Ultimate Outdoor Sanctuary

Upgrading your outdoor area starts with understanding how you want to use the space and what matters most to you, whether that’s creating a relaxing retreat, improving functionality, or enhancing your home’s value. At Zones, we begin with a conversation to explore your ideas and goals. From there, we work with you to develop a practical plan that includes design, material selection and a clear build process. Our team coordinates every step, from initial concept and quoting through to project delivery, ensuring your upgraded outdoor space is well-planned, beautifully executed, and tailored to your lifestyle.

Your local Zones® team can develop your ideas into a fantastic, personalised design and take care of all of your outdoor kitchen plans. From there, they’ll arrange for the delivery of your kitchen’s supplies and will also schedule in and manage all of the trades required for your project. Once your outdoor kitchen is complete, Zones® will also be happy to offer any ongoing landscaping services that you may require.

The installation time of a swimming pool depends on many factors, including the pool type, engineering work, foundation work, drainage requirements, and the building of necessary retaining walls and fences. Once we have visited your site, we can prepare an initial design concept and timeline, along with a budget range indication. 

Obtaining council consent will take some time as well, and this should be planned into the project timeframe. Our Zones Auckland pool builders are highly experienced in this area and can assist you with the compliance process. Generally speaking, every pool requires a building consent from Auckland Council. The only exceptions are spa pools or swim spas (under 5 square metres) with a lockable cover, and above-ground pools that are self-fencing and higher than 1.2 metres above ground. Explore our structured 5-step process to create your stress-free outdoor swimming pool.

Outdoor room trends in New Zealand focus on creating comfortable, year-round living spaces that blend style, sustainability, and technology. Popular features include fully equipped outdoor kitchens, automated louvre roofs, and smart lighting or heating systems for convenience and climate control. Natural, low-maintenance landscaping using native and drought-tolerant plants is also on the rise, along with mixed materials like timber, concrete, and corten steel to create visual interest. Wellness elements such as cold plunge pools, yoga zones, and quiet retreat areas are increasingly popular, while curved, textured furniture adds softness and a more organic feel to outdoor living.

Get in touch with a Zones Landscaping Consultant today, to discuss your outdoor room idea.

New Zealand’s varied climate demands durable, weather-resistant materials for landscaping and outdoor spaces. Hardwoods like Kwila and Vitex offer natural durability but require regular maintenance, while composite decking provides a low-maintenance alternative resistant to rot and fading, especially suitable for coastal areas. For structures, treated pine is cost-effective with proper sealing, and cedar or powder-coated metals offer longevity and resistance to decay or corrosion. Hardscaping materials such as concrete blocks and gabion walls are ideal for stability and drainage. Choosing non-slip, UV-resistant surfaces and fabrics ensures safety and durability across wet and sunny conditions, helping your outdoor space withstand the elements year-round.

Get in touch with a Zones Landscaping Consultant, to learn about what material will be best suited to your landscape idea.

Our Landscaping Consultants will do everything they can to make your landscaping transformation as stress-free as possible. They take care of any council applications required and manage your entire project from the initial design to the finished result. 

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An outdoor living area extends your home’s usable space, providing a perfect spot for gatherings, family dinners, or simply relaxing. Whether you want a minimalist, low-maintenance patio or a luxury alfresco dining area with a built-in BBQ and lighting, a well-designed outdoor entertainment area can:

• Increase property value with a functional, attractive outdoor zone.
• Enhance lifestyle by creating a year-round space for entertaining.
• Seamlessly connect indoors and outdoors with modern designs and durable materials.

Retaining walls need to last, so choosing the right material is important. But, with a range of products to choose from, there’s something to suit everyone’s style and budget.

A popular look is poured concrete and vertical sleeper retaining walls, which complement minimalist garden landscapes. Another choice that many homeowners go for is the baskets of Gabion retaining walls, filled with local rocks or recycled stones.

Sandstone may not be the first material to come to mind when you think retaining walls, but it can achieve a sense of eye-catching luxury. A little more budget will be required for this look though.

For landscapes with an existing rustic look, brick and timber may be the preferred choice, while irregular shapes and sizes achieved from hand-cut stone retaining walls, will add charm and character.

At Zones®, our Landscaping Consultants will work with Hamilton & Waikato's leading retaining wall builders to achieve the functionality and style that’s right for your project.

• Landscape design
• Deck construction
• Deck installation
• Deck shelter building and installation
• Deck and pergola building
• Bespoke deck designs and concept art
• Hardscaping
• Outdoor lighting plans and installation
• Outdoor room designs and build
• Indoor-outdoor flow advice 
• Deck reconstruction and renovation
• Complete project management

The top requests we're seeing include:

1. Outdoor Rooms

People want their garden to feel like an extension of their home. Covered pergolas, louvre roofs, and outdoor fireplaces are very popular.

2. Tiered Gardens & Retaining Walls

Because Auckland Central properties often have sloped sections, retaining walls and terraced landscaping are common.

3. Structured & Layered Planting

Planting design is becoming more refined. Instead of high-maintenance lawns, homeowners are opting for:

• Layered native planting
• Architectural foliage
• Drought-tolerant species
• Privacy screening through greenery

This approach softens urban properties while creating visual interest and long-term sustainability.

4. Compact & Architectural Pools

We’re seeing growing interest in:

• Above-ground plunge pools
• Infinity-edge pools on sloped sites
• Narrow townhouse pools for inner-city sections

Even smaller properties are incorporating water features that feel luxurious but scale appropriately to the site.

Read the full article here.

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