18. Te Kāinga Marire

New Zealand Native Garden Paradise

15 Spencer Pl, New Plymouth, 4312

Valda Poletti & David Clarkson

Te Kāinga Marire is the only private native garden sanctuary in New Zealand to be rated as a Garden of International Significance. Te Kāinga Marire’s (translated ‘peaceful encampment’) point of difference lies in the natural plant associations that evoke a feeling of the real New Zealand. This native plant paradise was developed in 1972 from clay wasteland. Keen outdoor adventurers, the owners wanted a bird-friendly garden designed around the ecological groups they had observed in the wild. New Zealand native grasses, climbers, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees have been carefully nurtured around rustic fences, a wetland, a colonial bush hut and cool fern-filled whare. Shy tui now regularly fly into the garden to feed. This garden features in the BBC series Around the World in 80 Gardens, which first screened in 2008 and has been awarded a 2021 Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Award for enduring commitment to environmental protection and improvement, and inspiring others to act.

Open 9am–5pm daily, admission 3 tickets

P 06 758 8693 / 027 5889003 E valda@tekaingamarire.co.nz W tekaingamarire.co.nz

19. Sequoia Steps

21A Sequoia Gr, New Plymouth, 4312

Shane & Mel Hurliman

A tranquil inner-city hideaway orientated to comfortable outdoor living. Shane has built structures that make the most of the available space, while Mel has added the softer touches with her love of maples and hostas. The garden lights up at night and there will be live music most evenings. There are areas to shelter from the wind and rain. Garden art will be for sale, including water features. Sequoia Steps featured in NZ Gardener magazine.

Open 10am–5pm and 7:30pm–10pm, admission 1 ticket (proceeds of the garden to Blind Low Vision New Zealand) P 027 297 4157 / 027 477 3434 E mel2@xtra.co.nz

20. Pukemara

5 Tyne Pl, New Plymouth, 4312

Alan Morris

Alan has created a town garden of two parts—a flat courtyard and a hillside garden. The courtyard garden features spring colour. Annuals and perennials combine with vireyas, roses and maples. The woodland garden at the rear has wonders around every corner of the zigzag path, with colourful rhododendrons, azaleas, viburnums and hydrangeas under a canopy of mature trees. Pukemara is a haven for hostas. You’ll find a large selection of these lush leafy plants on show and for sale along with other plant varieties. Pukemara has featured in the New Zealand Gardener magazine.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket

P 06 758 6251 / 027 828 0230 E acmorris@xtra.co.nz

21. Black Gates

6 Holly Oak Tce, New Plymouth, 4371

Gill & Greg Miles

VEGE

This vegetable garden illustrates a country lifestyle with the convenience of living close to the city. Set on 1.9ha with a sustainable vegetable garden, fruit trees, microgreen glasshouse and livestock paddocks, this garden also is a great stop for lunch on the deck amidst the palms and sub-tropical plantings.

Greg will give daily talks from 10 – 11am on his methods for Composting and Worm Casting.

EVENT: Pure Plant-based Platters (see page 52)

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket

22. Kahikatea

61 Branch Rd, New Plymouth, 4312

Katy & Willie Roach

This peaceful urban garden has sprawling lawns surrounded by native bush with a QE II covenant. Maples, specimen trees and natives are interspersed with colourful annuals, perennials and sub-tropicals, along with organic fruit and vegetables. Stroll bush paths, view old farm collectables or Willie’s collection of American cars. Devonshire teas available from 10am2pm or picnic on the lawn. Off street parking preferred. For less mobile, parking available down the drive.

Open 9am–5pm, admission 1 ticket

P 06 757 2739 / 027 863 9048 E katywillieroach@gmail.com

23. Te Henui Cemetery

Cnr Watson St & Lemon St, New Plymouth

Volunteers & NPDC Staff

One of New Plymouth’s hidden gems, the city’s oldest cemetery has a 5-star TripAdvisor rating. It features a wide range of mature trees as well as 6ha of graves planted with masses of flowering plants. Limited parking available inside the cemetery at the roundabout. No toilets. No parking for buses.

Open All day, every day. Free admission.

P 06 759 6060 E enquires@npdc.govt.nz

W newplymouthnz.com

New Plymouth District Council

@hello_np