FEATURE ARTICLES
He piko, he taniwha: around every bend is something special Derek (Gus) Flower, Operations Manager, Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand
Introduction Hamilton’s greatest asset, the jewel in the crown, unique, the
Gus Flower
place transformed from a dump site to paradise gardens — the accolades go on and on. Without doubt Hamilton Gardens has firmly put Hamilton on the map, giving Hamiltonians something to be very proud of — not just nationally but also on an international scale. Its growing reputation lures people from far and wide, particularly the enclosed gardens, which last year saw 505,000 visitors pass through. Summer weekends see the greatest activity. Between the COVID-19 lockdowns there were 37 days each receiving over 3,000 customers, four days with over 6,000 and one day saw a staggering 7,681 people visiting the enclosed gardens. The land the gardens sits on has an interesting history. For Ngaati Wairere, it was home, particularly the area close to the Waikato River. Here they used the river for communication and transportation purposes, and the fertile soil on its banks for growing crops, making it a centre for horticulture. Following European settlement, the site was used for various activities, such as a dog dosing strip, a go-cart track, rifle range, sand
An aerial shot of the enclosed gardens of Hamilton Gardens by the Waikato River. Credit: Peter Dury
quarry — and as the city’s main rubbish dump during the 1960s.
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THE BOTANIC GARDENer | ISS 61 Summer 2023
