Tauranga's unique coastal geography requires a specific approach to landscaping. From the sandy, salt-sprayed sections of Mount Maunganui to the rolling lifestyle blocks in Bethlehem, choosing a landscaper who understands local soil conditions and microclimates is essential for a garden that thrives.
This page highlights the Top 5 landscapers in Tauranga, based on independent research into reputation, service quality, customer feedback and overall reliability.
The top 5 landscapers in Tauranga are 1. Zones Landscaping, 2. Michelle McDonnell Landscape Design, 3. Modernscape NZ, 4. Viking Landscape Construction, 5. Mr. Jones Landscaping. Below we explain why each made the list, compare them at a glance, and share how to choose.
This featured position sits above the editorial Top 5 and is clearly labelled. It does not influence the rankings below.
Zones Landscaping are specialists in end-to-end design and build, with full project management capabilities. They suit homeowners who want one team to manage the whole transformation from concept to completion.
Michelle McDonnell is an award-winning Matua-based designer with expertise in coastal plant selection. They suit homeowners who want a strong design and planting plan suited to Tauranga's coastal conditions.
Modernscape are Mt Maunganui specialists in high-end finishes, focused on modern outdoor living. They suit homeowners after a contemporary, premium outdoor space.
Viking Landscape Construction are expert hardscapers based in Ōmokoroa, specialising in structural elements. They're the right call for retaining, paving and the structural side of a landscaping project.
Mr. Jones Landscaping is a Mount Maunganui local with a creative edge, known for custom pool installations. They suit homeowners wanting a distinctive design, especially around pools and outdoor living.
A quick comparison of our Top 5 picks.
| Landscaper | Best for |
|---|---|
| Zones Landscaping | Fully managed design-and-build projects |
| Michelle McDonnell Landscape Design | Design and coastal planting plans |
| Modernscape NZ | Modern, high-end outdoor living |
| Viking Landscape Construction | Hardscaping and structural work |
| Mr. Jones Landscaping | Creative designs and pool landscaping |
Independent, editorial, and reviewed regularly.
TopChoice rankings are editorially curated by our New Zealand team and reviewed periodically. We don't host our own reviews — our shortlists draw on public reputation signals from Google and other platforms, alongside our own research into each landscaper. We weigh up a combination of:
We don't accept payment in exchange for a place in the Top 5 — featured placements are separate and always clearly labelled. Rankings may change over time as businesses evolve.
Tauranga's coastal conditions shape every garden. Sandy, salt-sprayed sections at the Mount need hardy, salt-tolerant planting and good soil improvement, while lifestyle blocks in Bethlehem and Ōmokoroa bring their own soil and drainage considerations — so local knowledge really matters.
Decide whether you need design, construction, or both, and ask how the landscaper handles base prep, drainage and levels — that's where hard-landscaping projects most often go wrong. If budget is tight, ask whether the work can be staged so the structural elements go in first.
Costs vary significantly based on scope. A basic garden refresh or 'softscaping' project typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000. Full residential transformations — including decks, paving and retaining walls — generally fall between $30,000 and $70,000, while premium projects can exceed $120,000.
You'll likely need a building consent from Tauranga City Council if your project includes retaining walls higher than 1.5 metres, fences over 2.5 metres, or decks where the floor level is more than 1.5 metres above the ground.
For Tauranga's coastal climate, hardy species like Griselinia littoralis, native flaxes (Harakeke) and Oioi are excellent. They tolerate salt-spray and sandy soils while requiring very little water once established.
Sandy coastal sections benefit from soil improvement to hold moisture and nutrients, salt-tolerant planting, and shelter for more delicate plants. A landscaper experienced with coastal sites will choose the right species and prepare the soil so the garden establishes and lasts.
Landscapers typically handle design and construction — retaining walls, paving, decks, layout changes and planting plans. Gardeners usually focus on ongoing maintenance like mowing, pruning and weeding. Some Tauranga businesses offer both, but for a build you'll want a landscaper.
Often, yes. A staged plan lets you prioritise the high-impact structural work first — levels, drainage, retaining and paving — then add planting and finishing over time as budget allows, without redoing anything.
Editorial disclosure: TopChoice is an independent editorial platform. Some pages may include clearly labelled featured placements for additional visibility. Featured placements do not influence rankings within our Top 5 lists.
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