Ed’s letter: Naomi Larkin takes pride in house tours and our first gardens special edition.
What a season we have had at the NZ House & Garden Tours. Despite uncertain times and the unpredictability of our weather, we held five amazing house tours – in Cambridge, Dunedin, Christchurch, Kāpiti and Auckland – with no rain, and only one having to be rescheduled due to Covid. Three of the tours were held over two days, and the others over a day, meaning thousands of happy tour-goers were able to visit 40 amazing properties. More than $130,000 was raised for our charity partner Breast Cancer Foundation NZ which also receives a media campaign valued at $120,000.
Thanks to our generous homeowners who feverishly revamped, refreshed, neatened and straightened their homes to present them at their very best; the dedicated Breast Cancer Foundation NZ volunteers and our enthusiastic attendees. It was a lot of fun and such a success that we’re already planning next year’s locations.
Another exciting project we have just completed is our inaugural issue of Gardens to Love (see page 46). With so many beautiful gardens showcased every month in NZ House & Garden we felt it was time to put together a record of this rich offering that you would love to look at and want to keep. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate what a nation of great gardeners we Kiwis are. This collector’s edition is a thoughtfully curated compilation of inspirational gardens of all styles and sizes from city to country, natural to formal and more – from all around New Zealand. We bring you designer spaces, intriguing plant combinations, impressive potagers, pretty flower beds and preened hedges – everything gardeners and garden lovers will enjoy. It’s on sale now and is the perfect Mother’s Day gift.