A garden about connection. Woven fabric panels represent the different cultures that make up Aotearoa, opening into a sheltered “whare” space at its heart. A boulder representing a “mauri stone” trickles water into a rill and pond. Kids dig in the sand pit, crawl through the ponga tunnel, and mix potions at the carved slab table, taking them back to nature. An orchard and vege patch ring the outside — a nod to the joy every culture finds in growing their own kai
Jill Rice From Get Outside Ltd
Following her childhood fascination with plants, Jill studied horticultural science and landscape architecture before establishing her own multi-award-winning practice in 2003 and teaching landscape design. Her specialty is to design gardens that will inspire play, exploration and wonder about plants for children of all ages!
Her Garden Show zone, “Whiria” (to weave), is a collaboration with 2 of her ex-students Milly and Mere, and brings different cultures and stories together into one space of belonging for everyone – including the tamariki.
Expect curiosity, excitement, and harmony, with permeable surfaces and porous walls that let the landscape breathe.
North Shore-based, with over 20 years of combined experience. Parrot is the team bringing the entire Garden Showcase to life this year — turning ordinary backyards into thoughtfully planned, built-to-last outdoor spaces.
From paving and retaining walls to planting and water features, no project is too big or too complex — which is exactly why they’re building this year’s showcase from the ground up.
Fell in love with something in Whiria? You can take a piece of it home.
Kings Plant Barn is the Official Plant Partner of the Garden Showcase – pop into your nearest store to find the citrus trees, natives, and colourful groundcovers featured in this garden, with expert advice from the team on how to grow them in your own backyard.
New Zealand owned and operated, Central Landscape Supplies serves trade and DIY customers across Auckland and Hamilton, with a nationwide network. With a focus on Quality, Range and Service, Central Landscape Supplies offers everything you need, all in one place, including decorative stone, pebbles, aggregates, soil, bark, mulch and other landscaping essentials.
