Sending flowers to Waiheke Island

How deliveries reach the island

Passenger ferries run from downtown Auckland to Matiatia wharf in about 40 minutes, while SeaLink carries passengers, cars and freight between Half Moon Bay and Kennedy Point in about 50 to 60 minutes. SeaLink Logistics has a freight branch at 17 Tahi Road, Ostend. Goods must be booked one day before delivery to a branch, and freight is not accepted at the ferry terminals.

What this means for you: allow at least an extra day for an order from the mainland, and avoid leaving it to the last minute for birthdays and anniversaries. Weekend and public-holiday delivery is limited in many areas, and island deliveries are no exception.

If someone is unwell on Waiheke

There is no hospital on Waiheke Island. Ostend Medical Centre provides a wide range of accident and medical services. Patients needing hospital care are treated on the mainland, so if your recipient has been admitted, ask the family which Auckland hospital they are in. Flower rules vary there; for example, North Shore Hospital asks visitors not to bring flowers or plants, so check with the ward first.

Summer on the island

Waiheke has warm, humid summers, mild winters, about 2,100 sunshine hours a year and dry spells in summer. Cut flowers left in the sun on a deck will not last, so add the recipient's phone number and a note about a shady spot. Our flower care guide explains how to keep them fresh, and our summer Christmas guide suits the island's busy season.

Getting the island address right

Give the full street address, the settlement name (for example Ostend), and a phone number. If the property is a holiday rental, add the guest's name and stay dates. For the rest of the city, see our Auckland page, and for the Gulf's more remote island, Great Barrier Island.

Choosing flowers for an island home

Because flowers bound for Waiheke spend extra time travelling, choose blooms that last and ask for them to be kept cool. A potted plant is a good alternative for someone who loves their garden, and it copes better with a warm summer deck than a vase of cut flowers.