Record numbers smell the rhodos
Taranaki’s renowned Pukeiti rhododendron garden is experiencing a surge in popularity following a multi-million dollar upgrade.
In December 20,000 people visited the gardens at the base of Taranaki’s Pouakai Ranges. The year before that 17,000 visited the Taranaki Regional Council owned park.
TRC regional gardens manager Greg Rine said last December was the busiest month on record for the Pukeiti heritage property, established in 1951.
Visitor numbers to other council-owned gardens, Tu¯ pare, and Hollard Gardens were similar to previous years, with 4769 visitors to Tu¯ pare, and visitors to Hollard Gardens.
‘‘The growth in visitor numbers reflects the status of the gardens as significant attractions for Taranaki,’’ Rine said. ‘‘Taranaki has experienced some beautiful weather recently and the gardens are looking stunning.
Almost $5 million was spent upgrading visitor facilities at Pukeiti over the past three years, including the rebuilding of the visitor lodge.
More developments are planned by the regional council for Puketiti including extending the carpark, landscaping, more children’s activities, walking and biking tracks, and a family tramping hut and a lookout.
The dramatic increase in visitor numbers in the past two years indicates the positive response 1950 from the public of Taranaki and their visitors to the new rainforest centre and associated developments at Pukeiti, Rine said.
‘‘It’s encouraging to see the benefits of the work that’s been done to create a better experience for people visiting the gardens,’’ Rine said.
‘‘The new centre gives our world-class garden a world-class visitor experience, regardless of weather or time of year.’’
Ongoing improvements to facilities, events and activities create a better experience to a wider range of visitors, he said.
Recent developments at Pukeiti include opening of the Rainforest Centre and Lodge, family activities, such as the treehouse trail, improved signage, art installations, extended cafe season, improved walking tracks, education programme showcasing Pukeiti to families, an events programme and tours.
Pukeiti has also been more widely promoted regionally and nationally, Rine said.
Other tourist hotspots also experienced a surge in activity over the Christmas break.
Visitor numbers at Egmont National Park reached 10,800 during a two week period between Boxing Day and January 8, a Department of Conservation spokeswoman said.
In December the department recorded 13,000 vehicles at North Egmont, 7600 at East Egmont and 8360 at Dawson Falls.
DOC were unable to supply the number of hut passes issued for the summer until the end of January, the spokeswoman said.
Tourist guest night numbers were up 5.9 per cent in Taranaki during October 2018, compared to October 2017, a Venture Taranaki spokesman said.
The increase was partly due to more than 3000 visitors attending the annual Taranaki garden festival in October in spite of wet weather.