How we assess gardens

There are currently a team of 7 assessors covering the length of New Zealand. Each August an assessing schedule is drawn up, ensuring all new and existing gardens due for reassessment are visited during September to November. The assessing team endeavours to change the region(s) each assessor visits annually, providing geographic spread and knowledge of the gardens throughout New Zealand. The assessors meet once a year as a team to undertake assessments together, providing an auditing opportunity and thus ensuring consistent standard across the country.

The NZGT has four categories of gardens:

Two assessors visit every garden applying for Garden of Significance, undertaking a thorough inspection and assessment to determine the garden grading. Gardens of Significance and Gardens of National Significance are reassessed every three years to ensure standards are being maintained. Gardens of International Significance are reassessed every two years.

One assessor visits Registered gardens to ensure they meet minimum requirements in presentation, design and safety. Registered gardens are reassessed every 3 years.

Attributes of Assessors:

Assessors have a proven horticultural background with formal appropriate qualifications; or at least 10yrs experience in the amenity horticultural industry; or managing a garden open to the public.
They have a good reputation, and are recognised and approved by the NZGT trustees, for excising very good judgment, being consistent, reliable, having a broad knowledge of plants and a keen eye for design and detail.
They are known and personally endorsed by at least one assessor, and by the Chief Assessor.
They are personable and skilled in conveying and sharing information and responsibility as part of a team effort.
They have the ability to provide members with relevant information and feedback, and be discreet and respect confidentiality where appropriate to sustain the integrity of the NZGT and its aims.
They are non judgemental in regard to garden styles/themes. Their role is to judge a garden on its merits, not their own likes and dislikes in gardening.