- Gail Jones, a Waikato florist and TikTok sensation, is selling her Tamahere property to retire.
- Jones opened Gails Floral Studio in 1963 and developed the property into a wedding and events venue.
- The property includes two churches, a glasshouse and a barn on nearly 3ha of land.
A Waikato florist who became a TikTok sensation in her late 70s is selling up so she can finally retire in style.
Start your property search
However, Gail Jones hasn’t simply put a house on the market. She’s also listed two churches, a glasshouse, and a large barn, all on nearly three hectares of land next to Hamilton Airport.
Jones told OneRoof of her base of operations: “It’s a unique place, really. There’s nothing else like it.”
Jones is well known in Hamilton for her flower shop and the weddings she hosts at her historic church at 28 and 28A Devine Road, in Tamahere.
Hundreds and hundreds of couples have tied the knot in the historic church, which is originally from Thames. Photo / Supplied
Gail Jones in one of her popular TikTok videos. Photo Supplied
However, when Covid struck, she decided to share some flower arranging tips on TikTok. She became an instant hit both in New Zealand and around the world.
Her first post, which showed how hammering stems can make flowers last longer, attracted more than 1.5 million views.
“It was unbelievable,” she said of her digital following. “It’s the little tips that can help people look after their flowers.”
Jones, who is now in her 80s, opened Gails Floral Studio in Hamilton CBD in 1963. She bought 28 and 28A Devine Road with her husband Ian in the 1980s as a place for growing foliage and flowers for her shop.
Discover more:
- Precious Fernside! Lord of the Rings mansion sells for almost $4m
- Mortgage rates: Bigger cuts to come, but experts torpedo hopes of 3% fix
- Bachelor NZ’s Art and Matilda Green selling the villa they bought mid-flight
Back then, there was only a house and a shed on the grounds, but the couple gradually added a barn, restaurant, glasshouse, and a large landscaped garden to support their growing business.
The couple’s biggest addition was a historic church they shifted from Thames. The 19th-century building was in a dilapidated state when they found it, but Ian managed to rustle up a crew to help him dismantle it, move it to Tamahere, and then carefully rebuild it.
Jones said the couple originally intended to use the church as a space for drying flowers, but they spotted a new business opportunity after receiving requests to use it for weddings.
“It just got bigger and bigger and bigger,” Jones said.
The onsite restaurant seats up to 800 people. Photo / Supplied
“Hundreds and hundreds” of Waikato couples have tied the knot at Gails of Tamahere over the years, often following their nuptials with a celebratory meal at the on-site restaurant.
Jones told OneRoof she planned to keep her florist shop in Hamilton CBD, but has put the Tamahere property up for sale with NAI Harcourts. She said it was a great opportunity for someone to take over the existing consent, which allowed tourism, weddings, and events to be held on-site.
NAI Harcourts managing director Mike Neale said the “options and opportunities are both unique and boundless”.
He urged buyers to ignore previous price expectations. “It’s iconic and unique – with international flights resuming and the accessibility from the Waikato Expressway, we are excited about its future.”
- 28 and 28A Devine Road, in Tamahere, Waikato, is for sale, with price on application
