Mainstreet gardeners revisit Puanga garden

Mainstreet Wanganui has decided to revisit the Puanga Garden installation they
installed last year to mark the celebrations. The fountain in Majestic Square will be turned off for a month and will be turned into a native garden. Last year’s theme was ‘Rongoa’ or plants used for medicinal purposes. This year’s theme is ‘Mahi Raranga’ or plants used for weaving. The plants represent species that would have been gathered at this time of year in preparation for the winter. The long cold winter months were an ideal time to concentrate on weaving clothes, baskets and nets for communal and individual use. It was also a time to teach the next generation the techniques required to prepare, dye and weave the various raw materials.

The plants have all been supplied by the Whanganui Prison Nursery who have an
extensive selection of native species and the Taupō Native Nursery. “Last year we had an amazing response to the garden, many people wanted us to leave it in,” says Mainstreet Marketing Manager Elise Goodge, “we were tempted but unfortunately the installation was not designed to be permanent and the plants would not have survived. This year’s garden will be just as spectacular, it is lovely to have our natives and their cultural significance displayed prominently in the CBD.”

The garden will be installed on Friday 20 June, complete with information panels.

The public are invited to visit Majestic Square on Friday 18 July at 12 noon when all the plants will be removed and given, for free, to good homes.

What: Puanga Garden

When: Friday 20 June – Friday 18 July

Where: Majestic Square

ends

© Scoop Media