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.
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.
Useful sites: