Discover & Learn
naton
With the world facing an unprecedented loss of biodiversity accelerated by the climate crisis, a significant new global initiative has been launched to protect the extraordinary diversity of the plants that feed us. The Global Conservation Consortium for Food Plants (GCCFP), launched in September 2025 and led by the New York Botanical Garden, brings together an impressive group of partners — among them the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, the US Botanic Garden, and CGIAR — in a coordinated effort to enhance global food security and protect edible biodiversity for future generations.
The bumblebee (or humblebee as it was once known as) is a powerhouse pollinator, first arriving in New Zealand by boat, in the 1880’s. It was brought here specifically to pollinate red clover. It is now regarded as an essential pollinator in the horticultural industry and is especially brilliant in glasshouses and, of course, in our gardens. Their great specialty is that they are adept at pollinating plants that will only release pollen when parts of the flowers receive intense vibration. This means that many plants, such as tomatoes, potatoes and artichokes all rely on the bumblebee’s trembling action – they grip the flower and shiver their flight muscles without opening their wings - to be pollinated.
To begin, could you tell us a little about yourself — where you’re based, who you share life with, and what first drew you into the world of gardens?
I’m based in Havelock North (Hawke’s Bay) with my husband Tristan and our three young children (ages 9, 7 and 4). I’ve always been surrounded by gardens. I come from a line of gardeners, and grew up with my mum and nana always just a phone call away for garden and plant advice. My family’s gardens (some on farms, some in town) were very different in style, but were all places of beauty, care and lots of activity. I think much of my love for gardens seeped in by osmosis way back then.
Barewood is a garden many people feel a strong connection to. What first drew you to it, and what made you feel it was the right next chapter for you?
Well I think we can all agree that Barewood is just pure magic! Imbued with love and passion that you can feel from the moment you walk through the gate. We took a leap of faith, knowing from previous experience that taking on an older house and a large garden would require a different level of input, but the impending workload never intimidated us. In all honesty, we didn't know about Barewood until we saw it come to the market and I believe that probably helped not muddy or intimidate our instincts. We viewed it in the middle of winter and immediately felt drawn to it. Fires crackling in the homestead and the bare bones of the garden allowing us to imagine all the possibilities it held. The home and garden that Carol and Joe created here is a true extension of themselves as people. Warm, characterful, positive and safe. Barewood presents a perfect platform to allow our interests and strengths to weave together, whilst building a meaningful life together