REGISTRATION

Registration is available to Members, Assessors and Friends of the NZ Gardens Trust. Final Date for Registrations 15 March. Registration includes garden entries, morning/afternoon teas, lunches, the conference dinner and conference transport.

Full Price: $825 incl GST 1 January to 15 March.

Optional Extra Day: $150 incl GST

CANCELLATION

50% refund before 15 March, thereafter at the discretion of the Trustees.

ACCOMMODATION

The conference is at JW Marriot Auckland. 22-26 Albert Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010. Phone 09309888. We have a discounted room rate for delegates.

Click here to book your room: Book your corporate rate for NZ Garden Trust

CONFERENCE ITINERARY (To be confirmed)

OPTIONAL DAY Thursday 3rd April 2025

Immerse yourself in the renowned Gibbs Farm sculpture collection, a world class collection of outdoor sculpture by internationally renowned artists. Enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch on-site as you explore this remarkable destination.

CONFERENCE DAY 01 Thursday 3rd April

Join us for the annual plant auction and a "Wine and Wander" drop-in at Mincher Garden, where you’ll have the chance to meet the NZ Gardens Trust Board, the Conference Committee, and enjoy early registration. Sample local wines and delicious food while reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and exploring the beautiful surroundings.

CONFERENCE DAY 02 Friday 4th April

Venture north of Auckland for a day of garden discovery. The journey begins with a visit to the serene Omaio Garden in Matakana, followed by a special tour of Barclays Garden, where the acclaimed designer Andy Hamilton will speak to us about his design. Enjoy the Botanica World Discoveries lunch featuring seasonal local produce at the iconic Matakana Botanicals, known for its relaxed ambiance. The day concludes with a visit to the Brick Bay Sculpture Garden, where you'll sip wine in their stunning purpose-built conservatory.

In the evening, the RNZIH will host its annual Banks Lecture.

CONFERENCE DAY 03 Saturday 5th April

Spend a day discovering the heart of Auckland by visiting a selection of enchanting gardens, each offering its own unique charm. Discover the Marshall/Hayward Garden, an urban oasis known for its remarkable plant diversity, followed by the Urban Jungle, where the owners are transforming city gardens into thriving, sustainable ecosystems. Venture into the Jacobs Garden to explore a lava cave nestled within a subtropical landscape, and then visit the Hollingsworth Garden, featuring a tropical woodland, a stream, tree and perennial borders, a bamboo grove, and cozy patios, all seamlessly woven into a harmonious whole. Enjoy lunch at the beautifully restored Auckland Domain Winter Garden, an historic gem that has been lovingly returned to its former glory.

The day will culminate in our conference dinner at the JW Marriott Hotel, where award-winning Landscape Architect Richard Neville will deliver the keynote address “A changing cultural aesthetic”.

CONFERENCE DAY 04 Sunday 6th April

Start the day with a captivating talk by acclaimed New Zealand garden photographer Juliet Nicholas on the art of garden photography. Our second speaker will be released shortly.

The NZ Garden Trust’s AGM will follow, concluding with a farewell lunch to wrap up the conference.

PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary may change so please check the itinerary supplied at the conference registration.