Auckland Garden Services

After years working in human resources in Auckland, David Whitaker has swapped the corporate office for lawns, gardens and some of the best views the Mahurangi district has to offer.

David is the first franchisee for Auckland Garden Services, looking after an area stretching from Puhoi to Wellsford.

The career change came from a desire to leave office life behind and find something more physical that would allow him to spend his working days outdoors.

“Like many, I grew up mowing the family backyard and when we bought a lifestyle block at Kaipara Flats, it reminded me how much I enjoyed mowing and working outside, especially with the spectacular scenery we have all around us,” he says. “When the sun is shining and I’m on the mower at one of these waterfront properties, my office takes a lot of beating!”

David offers a wide range of gardening services, from regular lawn mowing, weeding and general garden maintenance through to larger jobs.

These can include complete garden makeovers, particularly for homeowners wanting to spruce up a property before putting it on the market or tidying up between tenancies.

For David, the emphasis is on providing a service that customers can depend on.

“Quality, reliability and trust are really important to me,” he says. “I’m keen to build good, long-term relationships with my customers.”

And when he finally puts down the mower and gardening tools, David can often be found in the kitchen.

A keen cook, he enjoys experimenting with a wide range of cuisines.

“I like food and enjoy all types of cooking, from Japanese to Italian.”