Visit New Zealand’s Taranaki Region, a Unique Horticultural Area World Renowned for its Gardens

Te Kainga Marire

New Zealand’s Taranaki region – on the western edge of the central North Island – is a unique horticultural area that is world renowned for its gardens and an ideal tourist spot for nature lovers. The volcanic soil and rainforest climate that feed the region’s lush dairy pastures also provide ideal growing conditions for native rainforests and many exotic species that have found a new home on the plains and rolling hills dominated by Mt Taranaki.

Since New Zealand’s early days, gardening has been a traditional aspect of domestic Kiwi life – whether for survival or pleasure. Māori cultivated kumara and other crops on the edge of their pa / traditional village dwelling, long before Europeans arrived with exotic vegetables, and flowering plants and trees to beautify their new homes.

Some of New Zealand’s most famous gardens were established in the 19th century, but many are also modern creations.

One of New Zealand’s great gardens, Te Kainga Marire – meaning peaceful encampment – is described as the epitome of the Kiwi garden. It showcases native flora that has been arranged to imitate the ‘real’ New Zealand. A pool and rock garden display plants requiring specific conditions, while the roof of a sunken fern house shows off the distinctive foliage of the begonia Elatostema rugosa. Exotic plants include old specimen roses and rhododendrons, and an organic vegetable garden.

Hollard Gardens were established in 1927 by dairy farmer Bernard Hollard whose life-long passion for collecting and growing plants has created an important heritage collection.

Oakley Garden – a large family garden – reflects the owner’s formal training in horticulture and landscape design. The garden is near the coast and has been designed to withstand the local prevailing wind. Major features include shelters that create havens, hedge-lined paths linking garden rooms, cottage borders, and many hanging baskets.

Pukeiti Garden – close to Mt Taranaki’s volcanic slopes and encircled by rainforest – is an internationally renowned rhododendron garden that was originally planted in 1951. Kilometres of tracks wander the forest and gardens which include covered displays of vireyas and other plant collections. Abundant native birdlife inhabits the forest canopy, and the mountain streams are a haven for rare native fish.

Pukeiti’s flowering season starts in July when the first majestic large-leaf rhododendrons flower. Camellias, large magnolias and michelias follow, and by October the garden is alive with colour.

New Zealand boasts of many more such gardens, the grandeur of which is more easily felt when seen rather than read.