Discover Aotearoa New Zealand's 'Gardens of International Significance,' endorsed by the New Zealand Gardens Trust for their exceptional presentation, innovative design, and diverse plantings.
The New Zealand Gardens Trust has awarded more than a dozen gardens the highest honour of 'Gardens of International Significance,' equivalent of a six-star rating. Here are a handful of these gardens from across the country. To discover more gardens like these, visit the New Zealand Gardens Trust(opens in new window).
Ayrlies, one of New Zealand’s best-known country gardens, is characterised by sweeping lawns and informal yet carefully designed plant beds bordering waterways and wetlands. This is a garden for every season, where the owner strives to have some plants at their best every week of the year.
Hamilton Gardens explores the relationship between people and plants through five themed garden collections. Here, you'll encounter traditional gardens, including a herb garden and a Māori garden, alongside gardens inspired by places as far-flung as India, Italy, and China.
Taranaki, a region renowned for its fertile soils and diverse geography, is emerging as a strong contender for the title of New Zealand’s garden capital. A clear standout garden is Te Kainga Marire(opens in new window), a predominantly native garden showcasing the gamut of native flora, from grasses and climbers to slow-growing hardwoods – all thoughtfully arranged to create a natural yet orderly atmosphere.
Flaxmere Garden(opens in new window), a large country garden near the Southern Alps, is a strongly designed garden that is completely in tune with its surroundings. Flaxmere evolves with the seasons, but it is wonderful at any time of year.
Larnach Castle’s historic gardens reflect the diverse tastes of the castle’s owners. Some of the original plantings, dating back more than 150 years to the time of the castle’s construction, remain a prominent feature. But it’s the newer sections of the garden, reflecting the current owner’s passion for native New Zealand plants, that have earned the garden multiple awards and a position among New Zealand’s finest gardens.
Established in 1863, the Dunedin Botanic Garden(opens in new window) – New Zealand's oldest botanic garden – demonstrates that some things truly get better with age. Spanning 33 hectares, this expansive garden is home to nearly 7,000 plant species and plays a crucial role in cultivating rare and endangered native plants.
New Zealand’s gardens are beautiful at any time of year but here is a list of seasonal highlights.
Spring flowers steal the show this season. Be sure to visit Greenhaugh Gardens(opens in new window) in Palmerston North for its stunning display of bulbs and roses. And don’t miss Mincher, a large country garden in Auckland, where the Rhododendron Walk and Laburnum Arch light up at this time of year.
At Hamilton Gardens, the Victorian Flower Garden puts on a magnificent array of colourful blooms, and the Rhododendron Lawn, a garden devoted to Rhododendrons, peaks in September and October. Insider tip: their perfume is best in the early evening.
To pick as many daffodils as you want (or need), visit Taniwha Daffodils(opens in new window) in Hawke’s Bay.
Summer is great for flowers but also for garden parties. Most public and private gardens put on a vibrant calendar of events throughout summer. Highlights of the social calendar are high tea at Larnach Castle and the Festival of Lights at Pukekura Park(opens in new window) in New Plymouth.
Te Parapara Garden at Hamilton Gardens is traditional Māori garden that peaks in summer. Cultivated using traditional techniques, Te Parapara showcases the skills required to grow tropical crops, such as kūmara, in a colder climate.
Most of New Zealand’s native trees are evergreens, so they don’t lose their leaves or change colour. But if autumn colours take your fancy, Tūpare(opens in new window) in New Plymouth is particularly stunning at this time of year, with its rich display of deciduous trees, including dove trees, tulip trees and liquidambars. The late flowering perennials at Ōhinetahi(opens in new window) are also wonderful in autumn.
Botanic gardens are a great option for this time of year because they often feature indoor and winter displays. Ōhinetahi Garden in Canterbury, known for its formal design and sculpture, remains striking in winter with its evergreen plant bed and winter-flowering plants. Also, the native botanic garden at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush(opens in new window) in Wellington is a fantastic winter destination, showcasing New Zealand’s evergreen native plants. This unique sanctuary boasts the country’s foremost collection of native flora, including many rare and endangered species. It also features a tract of the original forest, where you can admire ancient rata, kowhai, rimu, and tawa.
