TerraTales was founded in 2015 by Sarah Ngatai, a landscape architect driven by a lifelong passion for native planting and Māori design principles. Beginning with small community garden restorations in Ōtautahi, Sarah quickly assembled a multidisciplinary team of designers, horticulturists, and cultural advisors. Today, we operate our own native plant nursery and workshop, propagating more than 70 endemic species to ensure ecological authenticity and biosecurity. Our studio process brings together Te Aranga Māori design values—mauri (life force), whakapapa (genealogy), and mana whenua (land custodianship)—to guide every concept. We collaborate with iwi elders, local councils, and environmental engineers to integrate rain‑water harvesting systems, pollinator corridors, and cultural interpretive elements. Rigorous ecological monitoring and post‑installation care guarantee that each TerraTales project evolves gracefully, enhancing biodiversity, soil health, and community wellbeing over decades.