Events Guide

NORTH ISLAND February

• Sculpture in the Gardens. Free event held biennially, features a 2km sculpture trail through the gardens past the lakes and plant collections. The event also features indoor galleries, guided walks, entertainment and workshops. Auckland Botanic Gardens, Hill Rd, Manurewa. aucklandbotanicgardens.co.nz. Until February 25

• Music and Movies in Parks. Pack a picnic and enjoy the lineup from rock, pop and R&B, to jazz and two new feature events, Kids Music in the Park and Open Air Orchestra. musicinparks.co.nz or moviesinparks.co.nz. Until April 13

• Dahlia Show. Hosted by Auckland Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society. Trading table, refreshments, raffle. Auckland Horticultural Building, 990 Great North Rd, Western Springs. 10.30am-4pm. Entry $2, children free. Contact secretary Judith Elliot, 09 834 6487. February 3

• Tu¯pare music. Music performed by local artists in the spectacular garden at Tu¯pare. 10am-2pm. 487 Mangorei Rd New Plymouth. 0800 736 222. tupare.nz. February 4

• Wadestown Wilton Horticultural Society

100th Summer Show. St Luke’s Centre, cnr Wadestown Rd and Pitt St. 11.30am-3pm. Official Ceremony 1.30pm. Entry by donation. Contact Ann, secretary.wwhs@gmail.com. February 10

• Heroic Garden Festival. 22 gardens in Central, South Auckland and Franklin. Garden Party hosted by Lynda Hallinan. Bus tours with Xanthe White or Kate Coughlan. Bookings essential. Weekend pass $50. Ticket outlets and sales at heroicgardens.org.nz. February 10-11

• Hutt Valley Horticultural Society Summer

Show. Fuchsias, begonias, plant displays, art, craft, plant sales. Dowse Art Gallery, Lower Hutt. Sat 12-4pm, Sun 10am-3.30pm. All welcome to exhibit. Phone Dianne Purdie 04 479 5548 for the show schedule. February 10-11

• Pukeiti workshop. Growing hydrangeas for best effect. Tips on selection, care, planting and pruning hydrangeas in your home garden. 10am-12pm. 2290 Carrington Rd, New Plymouth. 0800 736 222. pukeiti.nz. February 11

• Eden Garden Princess & Superhero Day. 24 Omana Ave, Epsom, Auckland. 09 638 8395, edengarden.co.nz. February 11

• Auckland Begonia Circle Show. Prizewinning begonias, new varieties, trade tables, demonstrations, plant stalls (cash only). Free entry. Auckland Botanical Gardens, 102 Hill Rd, Manurewa. February 17-18

• Wellington Botanic Garden guided walk: Trees that shaped history. 90-minute downhill

walk highlighting trees used in textiles, civil engineering, transport, ship building, food & beverages, medicine, aeronautics and musical instruments. Meet 11am at the Cable Car Entrance, Upland Rd. Cost $5 (cash only). February 18

• Tu¯pare workshop. Designing new landscapes. Forming plans for new structures and features in your garden and selecting plants for the site. 10am-12pm. 487 Mangorei Rd New Plymouth. 0800 736 222. tupare.nz. February 18

March

• Hollard Gardens International Children’s

Day. In association with Kindergarten Taranaki. Family fun, pony rides, face painting and games. Bring a picnic. Sponsored by Powerco. 10am3pm. 1686 Upper Manaia Rd, Kaponga. 0800 736 222. hollardgardens.nz. March 4

• Pukeiti Explorer Day. Pukeiti Puffer Fun Run. A range of easy to challenging fun runs through the beautiful Pukeiti Rainforest. Fundraiser for Cameron Clow Trust in association with Athletics Taranaki. 10am-3pm. 2290 Carrington Rd, New Plymouth. 0800 736 222. pukeiti.nz. March 11

SOUTH ISLAND February

• Hokitika St Andrews United Church annual

garden ramble. Tickets available on the day from Church Hall, corner Fitzherbert and Hampden Streets. 9.30am start. Morning tea included. $15. Contact Marj Riley 03 755 6600. February 3

• Riccarton Horticultural Society Summer

Show. Dahlias, floral art, veges, baking, sales tables. St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Corner, Upper Riccarton. 12.30-4.30pm. Free entry. Contact Beverley 03 960 3381. February 10

• Lands End Garden Club Flower Show in conjunction with The Southland Dahlia Circle. Garden walks, afternoon teas, raffles, sales table, plants; bus trips to the Flat Hill Wind Farm on Saturday only. Te Rau Marae, cnr Bradshaw & Henderson Sts, Bluff. Sat 12-4.30pm, Sun 11am-3pm, prizegiving 3pm. Admission charge. Contact 021 252 2092. February 10-11

• Outram Flower Show. Market & raffle tables. Outram Church Hall, Holyhead St, Outram, Otago. Fri 2-6pm. Admission $2, children free. Afternoon tea $3. Unlimited entries $2 per exhibitor. Enquiries to Daphne 03 486 1608 or Denise 03 486 2635. February 16

• 80th National Dahlia Show. Hosted by the Marlborough Horticultural Society. St Mary’s Hall, Blenheim. Sat 2-4.30pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm. Gold coin entry. Contact Trudy 03 579, marlboroughhort@gmail.com. February 17-18

• 90th Gore Harvest Show. Scarecrow competition, school displays, student entries, photography, handcrafts, baking, jam, flowers and veges, braggers corner. James Cumming Wing, Ardwick St, Gore. Entry staging Thurs 12-6.30pm. Open to public Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am-3pm, presentations 3pm. Exhibitors fee $5, adults $5, children free. Contact Noreen 03 208 8191. February 23-24

• Timaru Horticultural Society Summer Show. Dahlias, roses, cut flowers, bonsai, floral art, alpines, container plants, orchids, fruit and veges, workshop, sales table. Public voting on the Braggers Table. Caroline Bay Hall, Timaru. Sat 2-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Contact Maureen 03 688 0640. February 24-25