Taranaki in Bloom
Known as the Garden of New Zealand, Taranaki is deservedly famous for its magnificent rhododendrons and its gracious parks and gardens. For those with green fingers, nothing beats the lure of Taranaki’s annual Rhododendron 
& Garden Festival, and a host of activities from guided walks to garden parties make this one of the country’s premier garden events.
Festival-goers enjoy an unrivalled opportunity to ramble through some of the region’s most stunning gardens. This year, from 26 October to 4 November, garden lovers will be able to visit 47 gardens, including 15 judged to be of National or Regional Significance. Plus there are plenty of green activities to enjoy as well. View the new installation on New Plymouth’s Foreshore by 2004 Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner, Kim Jarrett. Join in the glamorous Duncan & Davies Garden Party with top New Zealand speakers and gourmet food and wine. Meet garden celebrities at the annual garden speaker series, or just explore Taranaki’s walking tracks with the festival’s guided walks programme.
Booking Information
- Phone 0800 RHODOFEST (0800 746 363), Monday to Friday 10am-4pm. A booking fee of $3 applies.
- Online bookings can also be made through www.rhodo.co.nz
- All bookings can be made in person at the Festival office, Cnr Powderham & Brougham Street, New Plymouth, Monday to Friday 10am-4pm
- For a full festival programme visit www.rhodo.co.nz or email enquiry@rhodo.co.nz
Explore Taranaki’s Gardens
It’s not just festival time that Taranaki’s garden jewels shine. You can discover year-round opportunities to visit some of the country’s most significant garden treasures. Taranaki has seven of New Zealand's twenty-four Gardens of National Significance, and the following websites can help you plan and book your garden adventure.
- www.gardenstaranaki.co.nz
This handy site guides you through eight of Taranaki’s best-known gardens, all judged by the NZ Garden Trust to be of National and Regional Significance. There are itineraries or you can book online to join Taranaki’s Gardens of Significance Tour.
- Pukeiti
Set in lush rainforest, this 320 hectare property is home to New Zealand’s premier rhododendron collection. Pukeiti is open all year round, except Christmas day.
- Te Popo
Renowned for its birdlife, Te Popo Garden offers a lovely mix of woodland, garden and native forest. The garden is open by appointment.
- Tikorangi
Styed after the English landscape tradition, this scenic garden is famous for its camellia cultivars. Tikorangi is open daily from 1 September to 31 March, and outside these times by appointment.
- Te Kainga Marire
Te Kainga Marire is one of New Zealand’s finest private native gardens, with lush ferns, wetland plants and native trees. The garden is open September to April by appointment.
Ngamamaku
Ngamamaku is an intriguing mixture of native and formal gardens, with a themed Japanese garden. The grounds are open by appointment.
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