22 November, 2011

High garden visits for Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular

Almost 52,000 garden visits have been recorded for the 2011 Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular – on par with numbers recorded last year despite some days of adverse weather and a weak economic climate.

Formerly known as the Taranaki Rhododendron & Garden Festival, the event also recorded a 99% “Very Good to Excellent” approval rating in the festival’s visitor survey.

Now in its 24th year, making it one of the longest running garden events in New Zealand, the survey also revealed visitors were staying on average between three and four nights, the Spectacular brings in valuable tourism income to the Taranaki economy says the event’s manager, Lisa Haskell.

“Last year the event was estimated to have brought in $5.4m to the regional economy, and we expect to surpass that figure once the survey has been independently assessed,” says Lisa.

“Our focus is to offer a premier New Zealand garden experience so we are thrilled with the tireless efforts by the owners of the nearly 50 gardens in the festival who deliver that. While newspaper and magazine exposure was the main way visitors find out about the event, the second way is simply ‘word of mouth’ so visitors are coming away very happy and telling all their gardening friends about us!”

Apart from visiting gardens, the Newstalk ZB sponsored garden speaker series also proved popular. Hundreds booked to see floral art demonstrator Heather Hammond weave her magic on stage, while UK-based gardening guru Neil Ross presented a lively and entertaining talk featuring great gardens of Britain to an enthused crowd. Neil’s second event; a workshop about “Cheating with Confidence” was packed out at Jenny Oakley’s garden in Manaia.

Meanwhile, this year’s landscape design installation, an inner-city artwork by international trompe l’oeil artist John Pugh, has also proved a hit. Made possible by the support of the TSB Community Trust, John was also assisted by Marc Spijkerbosch, New Zealand’s own leading trompe I’oeil artist.

The trompe l’oeil artwork (meaning trick of the eye) measures approximately 18 metres long by four metres high and has beautified a wall in the inner city Huatoki Plaza.

Called “Waterways” the photo real artwork creates the illusion of a garden plaza within the existing Huatoki Plaza. John’s design weaves together aspects that have significance to the festival, the Taranaki region and environment.

“2012 will see us celebrate our 25th year as one of New Zealand’s premier gardening events and it should not be missed. If you’ve ever thought about coming to the festival, next year should be marked down on your calendar! Our 2012 dates are Friday 26 October through to Sunday 4 November inclusive,” explains Lisa.

“So garden lovers should standby for another truly spectacular spring event!”

ENDS

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