Howick Village Association is presenting the Eastern Artscape Garden Tour around selected gardens in the area, which will intrigue and inspire. The trail includes 25 fabulous places of interest from Pakuranga, Howick, Whitford, Beachlands and Maraetai, including Prenzels, Turanga Creek Wines and River Estate Olive Grove.
Several gardens are selling food, art and sculpture. Some gardens have not been open to the public before.
The trail builds on the success of the last Art, Sculpture and Garden Weekend in 2008, and is an ideal opportunity to see what the east has to offer and fundraise for Eastern Women’s Refuge.
Tickets are $15 for one day either Friday, February 19, or Saturday, February 20, and $20 for two days. For ticket outlets, phone Howick Village Association on 534-4505 or visit www.howickvillage.co.nz.
NZ House & Garden tours vary from seaside mansions to an 1890s kauri homestead revealing the diversity of the nation’s house design.
This year’s tours take in more than 40 homes in Auckland, Omaha/Matakana, Wellington and Christchurch.
During the Omaha/Matakana tour, on March 26, visitors will see inside beach houses, as well as homes of yesteryear and an eco-house powered by wind and solar energy.
The houses represent a cross-section of architecture and styles, reflecting everything inspirational about New Zealand’s unique home design and decorating.
The tours take place in Auckland on March 12 and Omaha/Matakana March 26. Tickets cost $55 and are available at www.ticketmaster.co.nz or phone 0800-111-999.
Proceeds will be donated to the Cancer Society of New Zealand and the cancer charity Look Good Feel Better.
The popular two-day Heroic Gardens Festival, showcasing the creativity and hard work of gay and lesbian gardeners, will be held from March 6-7. More than 30 gardens will be open to the public.
Gardens range from Whangaparaoa to Waiuku, from Piha to Orakei and include clusters of city gardens and four large country gardens. For something different, try the James Wallace Trust’s Rannoch Sculpture Forest tucked on the volcanic slope of Mt Eden, and the fabulous Kelliher Estate on Puketutu Island.
Many of the garden owners will be available to talk about “how and why” of what they have achieved. Tickets cost $30 and Auckland’s eight hospices will benefit from Heroic Gardens.
