Taranaki Regional Council media release
18 September 2007
For immediate release

In Step With Spring at Iconic Taranaki Gardens

There’s much more than spring in the air at two of Taranaki’s iconic regional gardens.

Tupare in New Plymouth and Hollard Gardens near Kaponga are beginning to show the benefits of rejuvenation projects that will continue through summer and into autumn.

“Both gardens are looking stunning,” says Taranaki Regional Council Regional Gardens Manager Greg Rine.

One section of Tupare is back on show after being hidden from public gaze for four decades, while the Mangorei Road garden also has a new car park near completion and new path and lookout on its top lawn.

Foundations have been laid for a sunken garden and glasshouse, while the cottage on the property has been readied for refurbishment.

At Hollards, a site has been prepared for a new events pavilion, earthworks and foundations have been completed for a car park upgrade, and paths have been formed for a new gatehouse site.

More than $2 million is being spent on the gardens, which remain open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week. Entry is free.

The Taranaki Regional Council took over stewardship of the gardens from the QEII National Trust in 2002. Mr Rine says the refurbishment projects have been devised in keeping with the vision of their original owners, the gardening and landscaping pioneers Sir Russell and Lady Mathews (Tupare) and Bernie and Rose Hollard.

Tupare is known as an arts and crafts-style garden with a house designed by James Chapman-Taylor.

Hollards is widely regarded as a plant collector’s haven. Its magnolias are currently putting on a beautiful spring show.

Both properties are in the programme for the Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival, which this year runs from 26 October to 4 November. Mr Rine says this is also an ideal time to visit.

ENDS

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