Taranaki Media Logo
Taranaki Media
Dashboard
Stories
Events
Videos
Places
Contact
Search (⌘K)
Light Mode

Taranaki Garden Festival Celebrates 38th Year with Diverse Gardens and Events

Taranaki Garden Festival Celebrates 38th Year with Diverse Gardens and Events
Tony Skilling

Tony Skilling

31 October 2025

Annual EventEnvironment Taranaki
The Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, named New Zealand’s Favourite Event in 2023, is now open until November 9, showcasing 43 gardens and over 30 talks, tours, and workshops across the region.

The Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival is now open, running through to Sunday 9 November, marking the event’s 38th year with 43 gardens and 30-plus talks, tours, and workshops across the region. The festival was named New Zealand’s Favourite Event by the NZEA in 2023.

Visitors can explore everything from grand country estates to inner-city tropical retreats, food forests, and native sanctuaries. Close to half of the festival gardens carry New Zealand Gardens Trust recognition. Garden entry tickets are available at local ticket outlets and at garden gates during the festival.

The Festival Hub is based at the Plymouth International Hotel and is open 8.30am–11.30am during the festival, including the “Fabulously Floral” installation celebrating 70 years of the New Plymouth Floral Art Club.

Free learning sessions return via the Mitre 10 Speaker Series, alongside a full programme of paid and free events.

Details

  • When: Fri 31 Oct – Sun 9 Nov 2025.
  • Where: Gardens across Taranaki; Festival Hub at Plymouth International Hotel.
  • What’s on: 43 gardens and 30+ events, including free speaker sessions.
  • Tickets: Garden entry available from local outlets and at garden gates.
  • Learn more: Visit https://gardenfestnz.co.nz

Companion Events

Running alongside the main programme are three companion events:

Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival: “Real Gardens for Real People,” featuring around 40 private and public gardens across the region, with entry just $2 per person at each gate. Open daily 31 October–9 November, generally 9am–5pm.
Taranaki Arts Trail: open-studio visits across two weekends (31 Oct–2 Nov and 7–9 Nov), giving a behind-the-scenes look at local artists’ workspaces around the Maunga.
The Sustainable Backyards Trail: Aotearoa’s longest-running sustainable garden festival, is now followed by a week of exploring innovative and sustainable builds and farms.
Arts Garden Festival Gardens Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival Taranaki Fringe Garden Festival Taranaki Arts Trail Sustainable Backyards Trail Plymouth International Hotel

Which garden is at the top of your must-visit list?

Join the conversation

More Stories

TSB Festival of Lights Wins National Award After Drawing 162,500 Visitors
Award Winner

TSB Festival of Lights Wins National Award After Drawing 162,500 Visitors

New Plymouth's TSB Festival of Lights has won the top national event award, generating $23.1 million in economic impact and attracting over 45,000 out-of-region visitors.

Tony Skilling8 hours ago
Massive Underground Water Leak Discovered at New Plymouth District Council Civic Centre
Infrastructure Alert

Massive Underground Water Leak Discovered at New Plymouth District Council Civic Centre

A silent underground water leak outside the New Plymouth District Council Civic Centre was losing 5,000 litres of water an hour before blowing the site's water meter.

Tony Skilling1 day ago
Rotokare Scenic Reserve Appeals for Help After Essential Vehicle Stolen and Burned
Community Loss

Rotokare Scenic Reserve Appeals for Help After Essential Vehicle Stolen and Burned

Rotokare Scenic Reserve is appealing for community support after its only on-road vehicle was stolen in Rotorua and destroyed by fire.

Tony Skilling5 days ago
Government Grants First Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit Since Ban Reversal
Energy Policy

Government Grants First Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit Since Ban Reversal

Resources Minister Shane Jones has announced a 12-year offshore petroleum exploration permit for EnZed Energy in the Taranaki Basin, marking the first since the exploration ban was lifted.

Tony Skilling1 week ago
Brooklands Zoo Highlights Native Owl Protection for International Owl Awareness Day
Wildlife Protection

Brooklands Zoo Highlights Native Owl Protection for International Owl Awareness Day

New Plymouth's Brooklands Zoo is hosting special Keeper Talks to share tips on how locals can protect native ruru from hazards like pest species and sticky parapara tree seeds.

Tony Skilling1 week ago
Green Party Unveils 'Kiwipower' Energy Policy Targeting Fossil Fuels
Election 2026

Green Party Unveils 'Kiwipower' Energy Policy Targeting Fossil Fuels

The Green Party has launched an ambitious election energy policy proposing a state-owned power generator and a transition away from natural gas.

Tony Skilling2 weeks ago
Government Scraps Council-Iwi Resource Management Agreements Ahead of RMA Reforms
RMA Reform

Government Scraps Council-Iwi Resource Management Agreements Ahead of RMA Reforms

The Coalition Government has blocked existing and pending Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements from transferring into New Zealand's new planning framework.

Tony Skilling2 weeks ago
Len Lye Centre to Screen Sir Sam Neill Films in Tribute to Late Actor
Tribute

Len Lye Centre to Screen Sir Sam Neill Films in Tribute to Late Actor

The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre will host a series of special film screenings this August to honor the life and career of Sir Sam Neill.

Tony Skilling3 weeks ago
Lepperton Community Invited to Manutahi Park Planting Day
Community Event

Lepperton Community Invited to Manutahi Park Planting Day

Residents are invited to help plant native trees at Lepperton's new Manutahi Park this Saturday, marking a major step in the development of the community greenspace.

Tony Skilling3 weeks ago
View All Stories