June 2024
Welcome to our June newsletter
An array of colour provides a stunning backdrop to the tyre swing sculpture at Waihui Garden in Rotherham.
Early bird ticket sales - July 1st 2024
On July 1st, ticket sales will go live on our website www.hurunuigardenfestival.com
For the first month, there will be an opening special where you can buy 10 garden entry tickets ($100) and get two free or buy five garden entry tickets and get 1 free. Make sure you don't miss out on this fabulous deal.
The guidebooks will also be available for order on July 1st. The guidebooks are jam packed with information about each garden, tours, events and helpful details to make your visit enjoyable. These are free so if you would like one sent to you, you can order online and just pay the postage. Alternatively, they will also be able to be downloaded from the website.
From the Desk of the Chair
As I write this I reflect on the year that we have had, both weather wise, and economy wise, and I have to take my hat off to everyone who has laboured on, cut costs and still come out with a smile most of the time.
The tool time chick has had a moderately sedate year, trying not to acquire any more equipment to cut costs. However, I was more than a little chuffed to see my wee lawnmower with its new Company Sticker – and No 1 emblazoned on it – sitting next to the big cats in our yard. Apart from farming we also run a contracting business, and that little lawnmower has done many hours keeping the sides of the road and the contracting yard neat and tidy – let alone the garden – so nice to get some recognition from the fellas that it’s pulling its weight!
But what a dry horrible year for the second part of summer we have had up here in North Canterbury. We had only 6ml of rain between January and May. Though lucky to have irrigation water most of the time – even that was turned off 14 times which puts a real strain on the farm and keeping water up to stock and crops – and our hill farm is just a dust bowl.
But carry on we do – and I spent a great deal of time walking around the garden inspecting places I couldn’t get water to and lugging out a bucket to try and save my plants. Fortunately, I could keep my trees mostly alive, but lost a few Rhodos, and the lawns survived with really good soaks and high doses of fertiliser.
And now we face a dry cold winter – though some rain has fallen alas its now too cold for things to grow. But gardeners are made of tough stuff- and we were rewarded with a late display of Dahlias and Zinnias that made up for the dry going on everywhere else.
So here is hoping we get a decent spring – not too much wind and some warmth. New beginnings ahead!
Meg Macfarlane
Sponsors Spot
The Mill Waikuku has become a must-see destination for Cantabrians and visitors alike, offering something for everyone.
Located at 1473 Main North Road, this unique spot blends the old with the new. Cocoa Black Cafe now resides here, working alongside PURE by The Barrelman (shop next door), which recycles and creates bespoke recycled oak wine barrel furniture, homewares, and metal art pieces for all to admire.
Stop by for an Allpress coffee or a famous cheese scone, or enjoy brunch or lunch on your way to the Hurunui Gardens. Relax in our beautiful garden and soak up the sun—you won't regret it!
Explore the variety of shops at The Mill Waikuku:
Victorian Kitchen Shop: Locally made Sanderson pottery and vintage kitchen wares.
The Emporium: Antique curiosities and treasures.
ID Gallery: An eclectic mix of local art and colourful homewares.
Thrifty: Pre-loved clothing from a range of labels.
Little Bohemia: New clothing, jewellery, and accessories.
- Cocoa Black Waikuku: A small cafe with big personality. Serving up Allpress coffee.
- PURE by The Barrelman: Furniture and Homewares & Metal Garden Art Recycled from Oak Wine Barrels
Why not make a day of it? Group bookings are recommended.
Don’t delay—call 03 312 7007 or email waikuku@cocoablack.co.nz.
Our Sponsors
Introducing the 2024 line up of sponsors! We would really appreciate any support you are able to give the wonderful businesses who sponsor us.
DIAMOND LEVEL SPONSOR
GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS
SILVER LEVEL SPONSORS
BRONZE LEVEL SPONSORS
If you want to contact the committee, or require any information contact us via our email address info@hurunuigardenfestival.com
If you haven’t ‘liked’ our Facebook or Instagram page yet, we recommend you do as we are often posting snippets of information and updates – more regularly than newsletters.
Check out our website www.hurunuigardenfestival.com which holds information about the gardens, places to go, see and do. This will be updated regularly as we lead up to the festival in October.
