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The Birdwoods Story

In Louise's words 'It can be hard to explain what you will find at Birdwoods because we have such a varied and unusual range of treasure across two locations. It all has one unifying feature – everything at Birdwoods has a story. For almost every thing we have here, we’ve met or know the person who created it – whether that was in Africa, here in New Zealand or from foreign lands past. We are committed to trading fairly and respectfully with absolutely everyone. So please do ask for the story behind the treasures you find here at Birdwoods – because everything has one!'

From Zimbabwe To New Zealand

Both from third generation Zimbabwean farming families, Birdwoods founders Bruce and Louise Stobart, emigrated to New Zealand in 2004 with their three young children, Jack, Sophie and Harry. Take a look at Louise with her stall of metal birds in 1991 - the beginning of Birdwoods!

New Zealand Sculpture

At Birdwoods, we love authenticity, individuality, quirkiness, and honesty. We celebrate things with character, humour, and history, and we thrive on repurposing old items in innovative ways. Additionally, we take pride in spotlighting local New Zealand creative talents. Among them, we are particularly proud of our son Jack, an emerging stone sculptor. Jack works from his home in Arrow Junction and showcases his pieces in the stylish and unusual Birdwoods Arrowtown Gallery. If he can keep up with the demand, we hope to have a few of his works in Havelock North as well. He is rapidly proving to be arising New Zealand talent, and we look forward to what he comes up with next.

View Jack's Work

Birdwoods… In the beginning…

This story began on a farm in Africa... In 1991 Louise started a business designing and creating metal birds from recycled oil drums on their commercial cropping farm in the Mazowe district of Zimbabwe. This venture quickly grew into a highly successful export enterprise, with Louise's metal birds being shipped all over the world. However, in 2003, political turmoil in Zimbabwe led to the loss of almost everything to a corrupt and lawless government. Despite this setback, the Stobarts and their Birdwoods' spirit and creativity endured, paving the way for new beginnings starting again in 2004 when the Stobart family emigrated to New Zealand.

Birdwoods Havelock North

Upon immigrating to New Zealand in 2004, Louise and Bruce established Birdwoods Gallery on a rural property just outside the village of Havelock North. Birdwoods has grown substantially over the years and it is now one of Hawke’s Bay’s most popular and award winning destinations attracting over 80,000 visitors each year, offering a large and beautiful gallery, an extensive and well tended sculpture gardens, a popular garden restaurant café, a much-loved old fashioned sweet shop and a summer ice-cream shop.

VISIT GALLERY

Sustainable African Art, Antiques and Vintage Treasures

Louise and Bruce travel back to Africa most years to select textiles, artwork, craft work and importantly, stone and metal sculpture, (Birdwoods Zimbabwe is still producing metal birds 20 years on). However, more recenlty, purchasing for the Havelock North Gallery has taken a turn towards more sustainable purchasing, with a smaller footprint and emphasis on antique, vintage and handcrafted wares. In 2019 on their annual buying trip to Africa, Louise and Bruce were joined by their eldest son, Jack, who like his parents, fell in love with the continent and the talented artisans that live and work there. Jack stayed on to do a full immersion stone sculpting apprenticeship under the tutelage of the renowned Zimbabwean sculptors

Birdwoods Arrowtown

In 2020, amidst the pandemic, Birdwoods Arrowtown was bravely opened byJack, who had just returned from six years working on super yachts, in Central Otago, New Zealand and this continues to flourish in the popular visitor town. Jack lives and works in Arrowtown, with his lovely partner Emma, and their dog Wilbur, dividing his time creating and carving magnificent sculptures from his Arrow Junction studio, as well as assisting his parents run Birdwoods Havelock North.

VISIT GALLERY

An Authentic Journey

The Stobart's have a flair for creativity, hard work and tenacity despite the many challenges they have faced and they remain committed to Birdwoods and all it has become. Every year brings new challenges to this unique businss, but the core values remain strong and are strongly supported by a loyal and diverse team of people who believe in the Birdwoods story and are loving the authentic and bold journey it is on.

the Stobart's daughter Sophie and her husband David Saathof are establishing the Birdwoods Christmas Trees on the property with the first crop successfully sold in 2023

Jack's large scale sculpture 'Crescendo' on display in Arrowtown

We are proud to grow much of our produce and have an extensive vegetable, fruit and cut flower garden, mostly organic, all lovingly cared for by Top Gardener Vicky Turfrey!

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The Birdwoods Story

About Us

From Zimbabwe To New Zealand

New Zealand Sculpture

Birdwoods… In the beginning…

Birdwoods Havelock North

Sustainable African Art, Antiques and Vintage Treasures

Birdwoods Arrowtown

An Authentic Journey

the Stobart's daughter Sophie and her husband David Saathof are establishing the Birdwoods Christmas Trees on the property with the first crop successfully sold in 2023

Jack's large scale sculpture 'Crescendo' on display in Arrowtown

We are proud to grow much of our produce and have an extensive vegetable, fruit and cut flower garden, mostly organic, all lovingly cared for by Top Gardener Vicky Turfrey!

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The Birdwoods Story

About Us

From Zimbabwe To New Zealand

New Zealand Sculpture

Birdwoods… In the beginning…

Birdwoods Havelock North

Sustainable African Art, Antiques and Vintage Treasures

Birdwoods Arrowtown

An Authentic Journey