Butterflies & Moths A Workshop with the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust Butterflies are often called “flowers that fly,” bring beauty and life to gardens like Bee Valley Flower Farm. Beyond their charm, they pollinate plants and signal healthy ecosystems. Creating a butterfly-friendly space means planting nectar and host plants, avoiding sprays, and adding shelter. Jacqui Knight, founding trustee of the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust,will share practical tips, surprising insights, and simple steps you can take to transform your own garden into a haven for butterflies. DATE & TIME Sat 31 Oct & Sun 1 Nov at 11am & 2pm VENUE Bee Valley Flower Farm 112 Ackworth Road, Lepperton 4373, New Zealand admission Garden entry free only TICKETS sponsored by Butterflies & Moths

Permaculture Food Forest with Dee Turner. Take a walk around a permaculture urban food forest with gardener and teacher Dee Turner. Learn how you can combine fruit trees, fruiting crops, perennials, root crops, bulbs and climbers into an enhanced foodscape that feeds itself. Dee has done away with the conventional orchard and mowing. Instead, she grows plants in guilds around her fruit trees to feed them, keep bugs away and obtain a yield at the same time. Herb and edible groundcovers grow where grass once was, as well as alpine strawberries in profusion. Productive self-seeders sow themselves every season and perennial root crops don’t need planting every year. There’s always food to harvest all year round with minimal weeding and pruning – a great solution for a busy lifestyle. DATE & TIME Daily at From 11am VENUE Korito 28A Trafalgar Street, Westown, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand admission Garden entry fee only TICKETS sponsored by Permaculture Food Forest

The Barden Party Naumai Park marks 100 years with a Bardinspired garden party – and everyone’s invited. The Barden Party brings Heracles to Hāwera, an original folk musical that reimagines the Greek hero’s story, exploring his fraught relationship with Hera, Queen of the Gods, and his own inner battles. Performed by the award-winning New Zealand theatre company, these two free shows blend myth, live music and a 1940s Hollywood aesthetic. Set in South Taranaki District Council’s lush native reserve, established in 1926, enjoy the celebrations among the trees with Greek gods, not goblins. DATE & TIME Sat 31 Oct & Sun 1 Nov at 2pm 2 hours VENUE Rod Syme Magnolia Dell - Naumai Park Gladstone Street, Hāwera 4610, New Zealand admission FREE EVENT TICKETS sponsored by The Barden Party

Let's Grow Bananas with Vance Hooper Bananas have been growing in New Zealand for more than 100 years – now it’s time to learn how you can add a taste of the tropics to your own garden. Historically, growing bananas has been dependent on limited microclimates, but with careful variety selections and a few key cultural factors, the fruit – botanically a berry – can be grown more widely. Vance will share tips on banana propagation, establishment and ongoing garden culture to get the best out of these fresh-and-fruity jungle beauties. You can see various stages of banana growth throughout the garden and orchard at Magnolia Grove. DATE & TIME Sat 31 Oct & Sat 7 Nov at 1pm & 3pm VENUE Magnolia Grove 6 Mahoetahi Road, Sentry Hill 4382, New Zealand admission Garden entry fee only. Bookings via enquiries@gardenfestnz.co.nz . TICKETS sponsored by Let's Grow Bananas

Pukekura Park Guided Walk Join NPDC staff on a guided walk through one of New Zealand’s most significant public gardens. Learn about the history and fascinating plants and discover hidden corners whilst on this tour. Please wear suitable walking shoes. A medium level of fitness is required. The event will proceed wet or fine. Meet outside the Bellringer Pavilion. Tours are strictly limited to 20 per tour. Registrations must be made to rose.hogwood@npdc.govt.nz DATE & TIME Wed 4 Nov & Fri 6 Nov at 9am-11am 2 hours VENUE Pukekura Park Rogan Street, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand admission FREE EVENT TICKETS sponsored by Pukekura Park Guided Walk

Glenbrook Vintage Train Garden Excursion New Plymouth to Hāwera - ReturnAll aboard! We’re excited to announce the Glenbrook Vintage Railway train is returning for the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival. The refurbished heritage diesel train arrives mid-week – just the ticket for a day out from New Plymouth to Hāwera and back. In South Taranaki, you’ll be taken by coach to visit four glorious properties – the Sullivan Garden, Gravetye, Oakley and the Christiansen Garden. For this event, hosted by local garden enthusiasts, you can order a picnic bag lunch or pack your own to enjoy in a beautiful setting. DATE & TIME Wed 4 Nov at 8:30am 9 hours VENUE Departs Tasman Prospect 90 Saint Aubyn Street, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand admission $130pp (lunch not included) $155 pp (picnic lunch included) TICKETS sponsored by Glenbrook Vintage Train

La Mer in the Garden The French café-style music of La Mer will float through three gardens during the festival. Pack a picnic and head to Tupare, Beechwoods and Riverlea, for gypsy swing classics led by vocalist Dominique Blatti. Sit at café tables or lay a blanket to enjoy a gorgeous garden swirling with mesmerising music. La Mer’s line-up also includes Bernie Schmid on guitar, Malcolm Alder on bass, Helen Griffiths on violin and Aaron Bosch on piano accordion. Ce sera magnifique! Bring your chairs, picnic blankets and enjoy! Sat 31 Oct, 1-3pm Beechwoods 2313 Mountain Rd, RD10, Tariki Sun 1 Nov, 1-3pm Tūpare 487 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth Sat 7 Nov, 1-3pm Riverlea 367 Corbett Road, Bell Block DATE & TIME Sat 31 Oct, Sun 1 Nov & Sat 7 Nov at 1pm-3pm 2 hours VENUE Various gardens admission Garden entry fee only. TICKETS sponsored by La Mer in the Garden

Botanical Candle Making Workshop Create your own luxurious botanical candle using seasonal scents and delicate dried Bee Valley blooms. A beautiful slow-living workshop filled with flowers, creativity, and cosy countryside charm. Includes garden entry, farm tour, all materials, and your choice of cake with tea or coffee. DATE & TIME Tue 3 Nov at 9am-11am 2 hours VENUE Bee Valley Flower Farm 112 Ackworth Road, Lepperton 4373, New Zealand admission $95pp (max. 12 people per session) TICKETS sponsored by Botanical Candle Making Workshop

Sequoia by Night With guitarist Chris Moutter Chris Moutter brings a warm, expressive singer–songwriter sound to evenings at Sequoia Steps, blending originals with reimagined indie, folk, alternative rock, and modern classics. His performances balance intimate and energetic, fitting the garden atmosphere while drawing listeners in. With a relaxed presence and dynamic guitar style, he delivers thoughtful originals, fresh acoustic twists, and nostalgic favourites, adding warmth, colour, and connection to the experience. DATE & TIME Fri 30 Oct - Wed 4 Nov at 7:30pm-10pm 2 hours & 30 mins VENUE Sequoia Steps 21A Sequoia Grove, Merrilands, New Plymouth 4312, New Zealand admission Garden entry fee only TICKETS sponsored by Sequoia by Night

Juno Gin Masterclass Distiller and owner Jo James will take you on a journey from garden to bottle in this peek behind the scenes at the Juno Distillery. With many of their ingredients now grown onsite, take a stroll through the Juno gardens with an educational deep dive into the key plants and ingredients behind their award-winning gin and Juno’s sustainability culture. We start the evening with a welcome cocktail, canapés, and sample a range of delicious, handcrafted spirits. DATE & TIME Wed 4 Nov & Fri 6 Nov at 5:30pm 90-120 mins VENUE Juno Spirits Distillery 14 Sunley Street, Westown, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand admission $90pp TICKETS sponsored by Juno Gin Masterclass

NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust Saving the Sounds of Summer Without bumblebees and their pollinator friends, many of our food crops - and the landscapes we love - simply wouldn’t survive. The NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust invites you to explore the remarkable world of bumblebees, why they matter, and how we can protect them. Visit a live hive and enjoy a family-friendly bumblebee trail through this beautiful garden. DATE & TIME Sat 7 Nov & Sun 8 Nov at 11am & 2pm VENUE Bee Valley Flower Farm 112 Ackworth Road, Lepperton 4373, New Zealand admission Garden entry fee only TICKETS sponsored by NZ Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Twilight Tours When the sun begins to sink, Terry Parkes, a celebrated Taranaki personality and Nice Hotel owner, will lead you pleasantly astray. The Twilight Tour begins with bubbles and blinis at Nice Hotel, before heading to festival gardens – TĪtoki and Te Rongohua and then onto The Yews Garden. The tour winds up at Nice Hotel for wine and canapes. Expect delicious food, fun and glorious gardens. Stay on at the Nice Hotel for dinner: Two course/wine match - $80 per person. Bookings Essential DATE & TIME Fri 30 Oct & Sat 7 Nov at 5-8pm 3 hours VENUE Nice Hotel 71 Brougham Street, New Plymouth Central, New Plymouth 4310, New Zealand admission $100pp TICKETS sponsored by Twilight Tours