Baduzzi Restaurant

Restoring Privacy and Resilience at Baduzzi Restaurant
Baduzzi, one of Auckland’s most iconic restaurants, faced ongoing challenges with an external trough planter positioned immediately outside the restaurant. The hedge within it played a crucial role—providing privacy for diners in the adjacent conservatory while also offering shade from the intense western-facing sun.

However, during the peak of summer, a lack of consistent watering combined with extreme heat caused the plants to struggle and ultimately fail. The brief was clear: remove and reinstall the privacy hedge as quickly as possible while ensuring long-term resilience.

To achieve this, we installed three WaterUps 1240 wicking kits in each of the three long planters, fitting them seamlessly within the troughs. End packers were placed between each unit to support the reservoirs, ensuring optimal water distribution. We then replanted the same evergreen native shrub, Corokia, to restore the hedge’s natural screening and aesthetic.

Since installation, the hedge has thrived, despite the challenging hot, western-facing environment. The WaterUps system ensures consistent soil moisture throughout the troughs, reducing maintenance while allowing the plants to flourish—creating a sustainable, long-term solution for this high-profile dining space.