Tai Tapu – Church, Walks and Sculpture Garden

Discover Tai Tapu through its culture, walks and a project to regenerate native vegetation. St Paul's Church makes a cultural impression with its architecture and personal story of its origins. The first section of the Tai Tapu Walkway follows the river, while the Sculpture Garden combines sculptures with the restoration of native vegetation. These different themes give you concrete points of reference for considering Tai Tapu as a destination and a possible location for your holiday rental.

Church and library as cultural landmarks

St Paul's Church was built by Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes in memory of his wife, Jessie Cooper Clark. It is also considered an outstanding example of an Arts and Crafts-style church. Its design and the story behind its dedication offer two concrete ways to appreciate it: those interested in architecture can focus on its distinctive style, while the building's origins tell of its connection to Jessie Cooper Clark. St Paul's Church continues to be used as an Anglican church. Its architecture, dedication and current use are all part of its character.

Another cultural landmark is the Tai Tapu Public Library. It continues to be used as a small library and is classified as a Category 1 historic place. The church and library therefore represent different buildings and functions: one is an Arts and Crafts-style church that continues to be used as an Anglican church, and the other is a small, working library with its historic-place classification. Together, they offer a nuanced cultural perspective on Tai Tapu, without limiting the area's history to just one type of building.

Walks with different destinations

A 15- to 20-minute walking route leads from the church along Old Tai Tapu Road to the Domain. The route offers a specific walk with a named starting point and destination. The first section of the Tai Tapu Walkway is different: it runs behind Tai Tapu Church along the river to the Rhodes Park Footbridge. If you are planning a walk, you can distinguish between the route along Old Tai Tapu Road to the Domain and the riverside section to the footbridge. For planning your day, the respective destinations are a helpful guide; no walking time is specified for the section of the Walkway.

Sculpture Garden and native vegetation

The Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden is an evolving sculpture garden and, at the same time, a project to regenerate native vegetation. Since autumn 2010, more than 8,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted there. The number of plants and the long period of development give the garden a clear connection to nature alongside its sculptures. If you are exploring Tai Tapu for its culture and walking routes, this offers a different focus: the combination of sculpture and the long-term growth of native plantings.

The garden can be visited year-round by appointment. Free parking is available on site, and the garden is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. These specific visitor details are especially useful for families with pushchairs and for travellers who use a wheelchair. Keep in mind when planning that visits are by appointment. The information about parking and accessibility applies to the Sculpture Garden.

Considering Tai Tapu as a location

Tai Tapu lies on the main road to Banks Peninsula. Its location along the road is a useful point of reference if you are planning to include the Peninsula in your trip. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider whether Tai Tapu itself—with its church, walking routes and Sculpture Garden—is the focus of your stay, or whether you would rather consider the town in connection with Banks Peninsula. The attractions and walking routes described here appeal to different interests rather than prescribing just one kind of stay.

More places to explore: Burnham, Governors Bay, Pleasant Point, Waipara, Glenavy, West Eyreton, Little River and Waikari.

For the broader travel overview: Canterbury.