Pukeiti puts fresh focus on plants and play

10 December 2013

Click for big version.

THIS IS THE WAY: One of Pukeiti’s new wayfinding signs.

Everyone from the serious plant lover to the most playful of visitors is catered for in a series of upgrades at Taranaki’s iconic Pukeiti rainforest garden.

Work is well under way on a three-year programme of improvements, and progress to date includes:

• Construction of two tree houses, with two more to come.

• New wayfinding signs and plant labels, with more to come.

• Upgrading main garden tracks to provide all-weather access.

“The tree houses in particular have proved popular – and not just with small fry either,” says Greg Rine, Regional Gardens Manager for the Taranaki Regional Council, which owns and manages Pukeiti on behalf of the people of the region.

“Two more will be built over the summer months.”

Mr Rine says signage and track upgrades are ongoing projects, and planning is under way for further improvements including upgrades of the car park, entrance and covered exhibition area.

“We consulted widely with interested parties – the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, iwi and others – as we drew up this programme of improvements, and it’s exciting to see the planning come to fruition,” he says.

“The summer months and holiday breaks are an ideal opportunity for Taranaki people to see for themselves what’s been happening at Pukeiti.”

Pukeiti is open daily from 9am to 5pm and entry is free. Founders Café, located in the Pukeiti gatehouse, is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 10am to 4pm, until 31 January. See www.pukeiti.org.nz for more information.

ENDS

© Scoop Media