Emma Sage

Hey, I’m Emma.

The camera-shy editor and founder behind Sage Journal.

I come from a line of gardeners, always able to call my mum or nana to chat about what to plant where, figure out why a plant is turning up its toes, or to see if there’s a cutting going spare. I know not everyone is this lucky.

When we bought our first house 12+ years ago, I quickly realised what a struggle it was to find local garden inspiration and advice. I wanted relatable stories, aspirational projects, and connections with knowledgeable gardeners — both new and old.

So five years ago, I started Sage Journal. To share stories of hands-in-the-dirt, soil-on-the-clothes gardeners. People who are sometimes failing, often succeeding, and always asking questions.

My aim was to create Aotearoa’s most trusted gardening resource. Now, with a large local following, and growing engagement from Australia and beyond, we’ve not only become the home for gardeners, but for design lovers and nature-inspired creatives too.

And this year (spring 2025), we brought Sage Journal to print.

It is a publication where knowledge — especially the kind passed down through conversations in the garden — can be shared and preserved.

Sage Journal aims to continue these discussions with our ever-growing, like-minded community, and we want you to be part of them.

With love and dirty fingernails,
Emma Sage x