Dale Harvey ’s Mangere garden was christened the “ Kingdom of Heaven Returned ” by the late Phil Warren. And every Christmas for the past twelve years it’s been lit up by about 55,000 fairy lights.

But who would ever have thought such a glittering haven could possibly exist in the street once used as a set for the gritty movie Once Were Warriors?

Dale’s grandfather started the garden and it’s been in the family ever since. Back in the 195O’s the house sat on a bare section that gave no hint of the lushness it would eventually achieve. Massachusetts-born Dale’s upbringing was split between New Zealand and the United States . His appreciation of what New Zealand has to offer was more finely honed by the time he spent away.

“It’s God’s own climate for gardening here,” he says as he makes a sweeping and almost evangelical gesture. (It’s no surprise to learn his grandfather was a Presbyterian minister.)

Heavily involved with community projects Dale has his own gospel to spread. He works with many schools in Auckland , imparting a love of gardening and distributing seedlings for the children to plant. He has a soft spot for Sutton Park primary school just down the road.

“The kids are great. Bless them. Some of them even take plants home and introduce their parents to gardening.”

Dale had his very own patch of garden at the tender age of four. Since then he’s been gathering practical know-how, not to mention a dual master’s degree (in education and community development) from the University of Kentucky .

“I feel the need to pass on my skills and knowledge.”

His garden has been planted with an awareness of celestial influences. Plants are stimulated by the moon and the sun, he explains. Planets play their part too. By noting the activity of, say, Saturn, Venus and Mercury (and taking the moon’s activities into account) Dale says he can predict weather patterns and seasonal shifts.

THESE PAGES: The blooms of the Hippeastrurn ‘Bold Leader’ match the red awning draped with bells. The backyard takes on a shimmering glow each night. Father Christmas stands guard on the veranda.

BELOW PAGES: Candles, lanterns, tiki torches, disco balls, fairy lights, sheet lighting and twinkle lights illuminate Dale’s house and garden every Christmas. The annual lighting display is created by his partner John Newton, an international designer and decorator.

Another of his gardening philosophies is “not to be afraid to be common”. His cool and shady front garden is testament to his fondness for simple plants. Azaleas, impatiens, tree ferns, cedars and a bottlebrush tree surround the pond. “Anyone can do what I’ve done.”

The garden is a series of rooms linked by paths of fine Waikato River gravel, each with their own microclimate. There’s a Mediterranean conservatory where bromeliads, figs, palms and birds of paradise flourish. Orchids, ferns and subtropical palms hang out in the tropical conservatory.

The meadow garden with its fields of tulips (in red, yellow and red-and-yellow stripes) and mounds of pansies (in gold and purple) shows off Dale’s fancy for intense blocks of colour. Each shade is kept carefully segregated, creating a breathtaking en masse display. But there’s a secret behind this profusion of hues (and indeed many of the plants throughout the entire garden): the specimens are actually in containers.

Excited by the versatility of such portable displays Dale believes they could be the future of gardening.

“You create patterns and put them together like Lego.” He guesses he has around five thousand container plants, not including seedlings.

During the festive season the lights go on at dusk and the garden is transformed into a twinkling oasis. Strands of fairy lights stretch overhead, encircle tree trunks, curve around pathways and bedeck the decks. There’s a life-size Father Christmas in velour suit as well as reindeer, a nativity scene and a real choir singing carols on the veranda.

Decorating starts early each October. “We’re very busy. We don’t just sit around in the shade,” says Dale. “Everything runs on twelve volts so it costs no more to light than an average house even though you could probably see this place with the Hubble space telescope. It’s a celebration. I believe it’s everyone’s job to try to make the world a better place.”

Children’s Community Light Shows held in early December, gates open at 8pm, adults $5, children $2. Proceeds to the HOPE Trust which runs the school projects, tel (09) 276 1600.

RIGHT PAGE: A covered walkway leads to the Mediterranean conservatory which is filled with seasonal colour.  

LEFT PAGE: The gravel path wends its way through the meadow garden.  

BELOW: Dale, right, and John with Harley the terrier.

The blooms of the Hippeastrurn ‘Bold Leader’ match the red awning draped with bells.