First Spring Festival in New Zealand 2006

The Spring Festival is a collection of events held throughout New Zealand celebrating spring and New Zealand artists. From September to November, the entire country plays host to many art and cultural, food and wine and gardening events.

Each region will come alive with a special event. Highlights include garden festivals in Taranaki and Marlborough, as well as food and wine festivals in Kaikoura and Martinborough.

More: Arts festivals and food festivals in New Zealand.

New Zealand Garden Festivals

19th Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival, 27 October-5 November

47 public and private gardens dispersed throughout northern, central, southern and coastal Taranaki are on display. There is a great range of gardens to visit from sub-tropical to mountain-side. The Taranaki garden festival is a diverse display of designs, styles, sizes and plantings. 15 gardens have achieved the prestigious national and regional significance status.

This year, a pre-pay ticketing system has been implemented making entry into the gardens easier. Entry into most gardens costs $4.00 NZD to $12.00 NZD and public gardens will remain free. Bus tours will take a tour of all the gardens in a particular area and the fare includes transport, garden entry and lunch. You are sure to leave the garden festival in Taranaki with a few ideas for your own garden.

For more information about this Taranaki garden festival, visit the official Taranaki Rhododendron and Garden Festival Web site.

View information on Taranaki accommodation options and Taranaki attractions and activities.

13th Hunter's Garden Marlborough, 1-6 November

Take a tour through gardens in the Marlborough area, meet garden owners and pick up some great ideas for your own garden on the way. Workshops are being held throughout the week of the Marlborough garden festival, with speakers sharing their ideas.

A charity auction will be held on Saturday, 4 November, and profits will go towards local projects promoting gardening and the Marlborough region.

For more information about this Marlborough garden festival, please cisit the official Hunter's Garden Marlborough Web site.

View more on Marlborough accommodation options and Marlborough attractions and activities in the region.

5th Bayley'S Garden and Artfest, 6-12 November

Tauranga is celebrating their top quality gardens and artwork with the annual Bayley's Garden and Artfest.

This year there are 90 gardens on display ranging from traditional to contemporary gardens, plus everything in between. Take the time out to meander through the tranquil gardens admire the hard work put into them and get some inspiration for your own garden.

You will find artwork by local artists on display at some of the gardens and at 'art stops' throughout the area. These include sculptures, paintings, drawings, photography and mosaics.

For more information about this Tauranga garden festival, please visit the official Bayley's Garden and Artfest Web site for more details.

View more on Tauranga accommodation options and Tauranga attractions and activities in the region.

Ellerslie International Flower Show, 15-19 November

A six-day celebration of New Zealand's spectacular season, the Ellerslie International Flower Show is the largest horticultural event in Australasia, with gardens and exhibits of international standard.

Based on the Chelsea Flower Show in England, the Auckland garden festival was established as a fundraiser for local charities since 1994. The show is based on a 5.5 hectare site in the Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens, Manukau City.

This year has a new addition to the festival, the Visique Avenue of Gold, which celebrates some of the shows previous gold medal-winning designers. Other features include the Retail Plant Sales, Hore Galore Marquee, Floral Art Marquee, Design Marquee, Lifestyle Marquee and Exhibition Gardens.

For more information about this Auckland garden festival, please visit the official Ellerslie International Flower Show Web site.

View more on Auckland accommodation options and Auckland attractions and activities in the region.

New Zealand Arts Festivals and Food Festivals

View more information about the food festivals and arts festivals in New Zealand, including:

• 4th Otago Festival of the Arts, 6-14 October
• Kaikoura Seafest, 7 October
• 12th Nelson Arts Festival, 13-23 October
• Toast Martinborough, 19 November