Partners: New Zealand

Ayrlies Garden

Ayrlies Garden

“If you think of gardening as an art form, I think it’s (Ayrlies) the best expression of that art… The whole thing is an experience beyond any other in the country.” – Monty Don
Created in the millennium year this thirty-five acre wetlands celebrated the life of the late Malcolm McConnell. The eight acre lake is seen from many parts of the garden and in its own way links the garden to the sea. It has become home to many native and visiting wildlife.

Te Kainga Marire

Te Kainga Marire

Te Kainga Marire – Maori for the peaceful encampment – is a skilfully designed inner-city native garden that mimics – and even improves – New Zealand’s natural environment.

Situated in a once weedy New Plymouth valley, Te Kainga Marire is now considered to be one of few private gardens of international significance by the prestigious RNZIH New Zealand Gardens Trust.

The garden wraps around the Poletti-Clarkson family home, snuggles up to a coastal swamp forest remnant and pa site and spills on to the neighbouring river reserve and Te Henui walkway leading to the city and sea.

This is a harmonious garden that weaves subtle textures and colours with quirky forms. Lush ferns, wetland plants, alpine treasures and native trees here make up a microcosm of the New Zealand landscape – a gem of Middle Earth.

Pukeiti

Pukeiti is a garden of international significance. Pukeiti hosts one of the world’s biggest and most diverse collections of rhododendrons and other exotics, creating an explosion of colour among lush, native rainforest and mountain streams.
Marvel at the filmy ferns and luscious landscape, as well as the views which included the surfbound coast, North Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu. He was also attracted to the clean and healthy looking rhododendrons which were still thriving despite being in an old and neglected garden. 
Cook donated the block to the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust and work soon started on developing the property. The official opening took place on Thursday 1 November 1951, when the gates were opened to visitors who walked from the shack right through to the summit along the bush track and partly formed road.

Wellington Botanic Garden

Wellington Botanic Garden

Visit Wellington Botanic Garden and enjoy 25 hectares of specialised plant collections, colourful botanical displays, unique landscape, protected native forest, and views over Wellington City.

The diverse gardens help to show how important plants have been, are now, and will be in the future. The vital role plants play in our lives is crucial for our planet’s health.  

Visit our wildflower garden for the pollinators, see different examples of how to grow your own food and experience the interconnectedness of nature in action.

Dunedin Botanic Gardens

Dunedin Botanic Gardens

The Dunedin Botanic Garden celebrates its 160th anniversary in 2023, marking its position as New Zealand’s first botanic garden. It occupies 33 hectares in North Dunedin at an altitude of 25 – 85 metres above sea level. The Garden has hill views from sunny lawns, more than 6,800 plant species and the song of wild native bellbirds, wood pigeons and tui.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Founded in 1863 with the planting of an English oak tree, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens have grown from small beginnings to become a much-loved destination for Cantabrians and visitors alike. Over the years natural wetlands and sand dunes have been transformed into an elegantly cultivated 21 hectare park with more than 10 different gardens framed by mature trees and expansive lawns, which are mostly contained within a loop of the Avon River.
From the spring drifts of daffodils, spectacular summer roses, stunning autumn leaf displays and cosy conservatories to explore over winter, there’s something to delight in every season.

Auckland Botanic Garden

Auckland Botanic Garden

The Auckland Botanic Gardens covers 64 hectares (156 acres) of land, including 10 hectares of native forest. Opening to the public in 1982, the Auckland Botanic Gardens is a young garden by world standards.

The Gardens attract over 1 million visitors each year and is a member of the New Zealand Gardens Trust, an organisation that assesses gardens for the quality of visitor experience and promotes garden visiting.

Our team are extremely knowledgeable about plants, and are passionate about connecting our visitors to plants and gardens. As horticultural experts, our role is to help people engage with plants and gardens, and to highlight their importance in everyday life. We run regular workshops and drop-in sessions where our staff can give expert advice and tips to our visitors.