Keirunga Gardens is a 17-hectare park in Havelock North — 1 km south of the village centre and within easy day-trip range of Napier. The park combines formal gardens and parklands with the heritage Keirunga Homestead, the Keirunga Gardens Arts & Crafts Society (in the courtyard), a children’s playground, the 846 m Keirunga Park Railway mini-train, picnic areas, and a designated off-lead dog exercise zone. Free entry, with the railway operating on the first and third Sundays each month plus Easter and Labour Weekend.
Practical Information
| Location | Tanner Street / Puflett Road, Havelock North — 1 km south of the village centre |
| From Napier | ~25 km / 25 min drive via SH2 |
| Size | 17 hectares of formal gardens and parklands |
| Established | Garden established in 1992 after 26,000 volunteer hours |
| Playground | Children’s playground (added 2006) |
| Sculptures | ‘Paintbrush Garden’ sculptures by artist Peni Edwards (2007) |
| Park Railway | 846 m mini-train track with tunnels and bridges; runs first and third Sundays 11am–4pm, plus all Easter and Labour weekends |
| Arts Centre | Keirunga Creative Arts Venue / Arts & Crafts Society on Puflett Road |
| Dogs | Designated off-lead dog exercise zone |
| Cost | Park free; mini-train fares apply when running |
About Keirunga Gardens
Keirunga Gardens is a 17-hectare community park on the southern edge of Havelock North — Hastings District’s substantial boutique village 25 km south of Napier. The park combines formal gardens with parklands, the heritage Keirunga Homestead, an active arts and crafts community, a children’s playground, picnic areas, and the popular Keirunga Park Railway. The garden was established in 1992 after 26,000 volunteer hours — a community-built park rather than a council-planted one.
The Keirunga Homestead and the Keirunga Gardens Arts & Crafts Society are the cultural heart of the park, housed in maintained garden spaces with courtyard facilities. The Society provides community facilities for arts and crafts across the Hastings District; the Keirunga Creative Arts Venue on Puflett Road offers facilities for a diverse range of events. Children’s playground equipment was added in 2006, and the ‘Paintbrush Garden’ sculptures by Hawke’s Bay artist Peni Edwards were installed in 2007.
The Keirunga Park Railway is the headline visitor draw — an 846 m mini-train track that winds through tunnels and across bridges around the park. The track is operated by volunteers and runs the first and third Sundays of the month from 11am to 4pm, plus all weekend at Easter and Labour Weekend. Small fares apply; check the railway’s schedule before planning a visit if the mini-train is the main reason for going.
What’s at Keirunga Gardens
| Children’s playground | Added 2006 — standard council-style equipment for a wide age range |
| Keirunga Park Railway | 846 m mini-train, tunnels, bridges — first & third Sundays 11am–4pm |
| Arts & Crafts Society / Venue | Community facilities for arts events on Puflett Road |
| Heritage Homestead | Keirunga Homestead — heritage building within the gardens |
| Sculpture trail | ‘Paintbrush Garden’ sculptures by Peni Edwards (2007) |
| Formal gardens + parklands | 17 hectares mixing manicured beds with open lawns |
| Off-lead dog zone | Designated area within the park |
| Picnic areas | Open spaces with picnic tables for family use |
Getting There From Napier
Keirunga Gardens is about 25 km from central Napier — a 25-minute drive south via SH2 and through Havelock North village. The main entrance on Puflett Road offers vehicle access; multiple pedestrian entry points along Tanner Street serve walkers from the surrounding residential area. Free parking at the main entrance.
What Visitors Often Say
Reviewers consistently rate Keirunga Gardens as a hidden gem of Havelock North — the combination of arts and crafts, the mini-train railway, the heritage homestead, and the substantial 17-hectare grounds creates a more varied day out than most local parks. The Park Railway gets the most enthusiastic mentions from families — kids love the tunnels and bridges, and the small fare goes back into volunteer maintenance.
The most common practical tip is to time a visit around the railway’s operating days — first and third Sundays from 11am to 4pm, plus all Easter and Labour weekends. Outside those days the park is still well worth visiting for the playground, the sculptures, the heritage homestead and the picnic areas, but the railway is the headline draw. Combine with the Havelock North village cafés for a longer day out.
Where to Learn More
Keirunga Creative Arts Venue — official society site with venue hire, events and arts programme.
Hastings District Council — Keirunga Homestead — official council page with reserve information and notices.
Hawke’s Bay NZ — Keirunga Gardens & Railway — regional visitor guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Keirunga Gardens?
Tanner Street / Puflett Road, Havelock North — 1 km south of the village centre, about 25 minutes drive south of Napier.
When does the Keirunga Park Railway run?
First and third Sundays of the month, 11am–4pm. Plus all weekend at Easter and Labour Weekend.
How long is the Keirunga Park Railway?
846 metres — with tunnels and bridges around the park.
Is Keirunga Gardens free?
Park entry is free. Small fares apply for the Park Railway when it’s operating.
Is there a playground at Keirunga Gardens?
Yes — children’s playground added in 2006.
Can dogs go to Keirunga Gardens?
Yes — there’s a designated off-lead dog exercise zone within the park.
What is Keirunga Homestead?
The heritage building within the gardens that houses the Keirunga Gardens Arts & Crafts Society community facilities.
For more Napier-area day trips, see the day trips hub. The wider Havelock North village guide covers the surrounding area.
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