About Us

The Hurunui Garden Festival was launched early in 2018 by a group of local garden owners who wanted to assist with the Hurunui District’s recovery from the devastating earthquake of November 2016. The concept was to open gardens and invite visitors, particularly from outside the district, to spend a weekend enjoying the gardens and other attractions of the Hurunui District. The Festival would thereby create opportunities and benefits for businesses and residents across the district. More than a celebration of inspirational gardens, the Hurunui Garden Festival would be a district-wide promotion of the many attractions and warm hospitality of the region.

Objectives

To develop an annual garden festival, run during the first weekend in November, consisting of clusters of open gardens around the Hurunui District, together with garden-based events.

To raise awareness of the festival and the participating gardens and events through a targeted marketing programme, that positions the festival as an essential ‘must-see’ annual event.

To work collaboratively with Hurunui tourism operators, accommodation and hospitality providers, and attraction owners to develop promotions encouraging people from outside the district to attend the festival and spend the weekend enjoying our gardens, hospitality and other attractions.

To become financially sustainable and bring economic benefits to the Hurunui District.

To be committed to reviewing, updating and expanding the festival to ensure it becomes the district’s premier event, and one of New Zealand’s most popular garden festivals.