2026 Events
Listed below are the main events held in our gardens this year. This includes workshops, talks and art exhibitions.
Some of these workshops may have a separate charge and some need to be booked in advance. See details below and on each garden page.
There are many other stalls for you to enjoy: plant sales, jewellery, pottery, produce stalls, craft stalls, coffee carts and fabulous food, all adding to the fun of the festival. For details of what each garden offers, search gardens by name HERE
Thursday
The Geens - Hanmer Springs
Christmas Grotto – Come and be inspired – a magical experience for all. Bespoke decorations for sale. Open daily and free with admission
Straw Bale House - Hanmer Springs
Workshop: Weaving with garden materials – with Hannah Schickedanz, an established Wellington artist.
Using the ancient art of weaving, participants will create a basket from foraged materials from the garden. Venue indoors in case of bad weather. Daily from 1-4 (afternoon tea provided). All materials provided. Cost $100 (In addition to garden admission fee of $10).
Booking essential.
Contact hannah@schickeda.nz
St Helen's Station Homestead - Hanmer Springs
Homestead Interior Tours:
The interior of the homestead will be accessible only by 45-minute guided tour by the owners. The tour will cover the history of the homestead and the station, highlighting the eclectic collections in the main rooms. Each tour limited to 12 people, tour cost $25 p.p. Pre-booking advised; email sthelenshomestead@gmail.com to book.
Lochiel Station gardens: Hanmer Springs.
Art by Mary McRae will be displayed for purchase.
Hemingford - Culverden
Lissa Holland Art Exhibition - Exhibition of paintings for sale. Daily and free.
The Top Cottage – Culverden
Jane McIntosh Art Exhibition in her studio. Featuring still life’s, local & rural scenes.
Tom McIntosh: Sculptures to view throughout garden.
Debbie Banks: Festive Fare Xmas Table Arrangement Workshop with bubbles & nibbles. 1-3pm, $75. Includes entry to garden. To book, phone or txt Debbie 0272657541
A walk Around the Garden with Penny Zino. Meet outside the barn at 10am. All aspects of the garden will be covered.
Guided Tour:
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: $25 per person.
Tours run daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
To secure your place, we encourage pre-booking by emailing jane@tipapaestate.co.nz with the subject “HGF house tour.” Payment can be made by direct debit once your booking is confirmed, or by cash or HGF tickets on the day.
Friday
The Geens - Hanmer Springs
Experience: Christmas Grotto – Come and be inspired – a magical experience for all. Bespoke decorations for sale. Open daily and free with admission
Straw Bale House: Hanmer Springs
Workshop: Weaving with garden materials – with Hannah Schickedanz, an established Wellington artist.
Using the ancient art of weaving, participants will create a basket from foraged materials from the garden. Venue indoors in case of bad weather. Daily from 1-4 (afternoon tea provided). All materials provided. Cost $100 (In addition to garden admission fee of $10).
Booking essential.
Contact hannah@schickeda.nz
St Helen's Station Homestead - Hanmer Springs
Homestead Interior Tours:
The interior of the homestead will be accessible only by 45-minute guided tour by the owners. The tour will cover the history of the homestead and the station, highlighting the eclectic collections in the main rooms. Each tour limited to 12 people, tour cost $25 p.p. Pre-booking advised; email sthelenshomestead@gmail.com to book.
Lochiel Station gardens: Hanmer Springs.
Art by Mary McRae will be displayed for purchase.
Hemingford - Culverden
Lissa Holland Art Exhibition - Exhibition of paintings for sale. Daily and free.
The Top Cottage – Culverden
Jane McIntosh Art Exhibition in her studio. Featuring still life’s, local & rural scenes.
Tom McIntosh: Sculptures to view throughout garden.
Stuart Hide from Woodend Nursery. Questions & Answers., Fruit trees & pruning. When: Friday 30th October, 11am. Free.
Rosa Reed: Xmas Wreath Workshop. When: -Friday 30th October 10.30 -12. All materials supplied. Entry to garden included. $125. To book, phone or txt Rosa 0272207042.
Debbie Banks: Festive Fare Xmas Table Arrangement Workshop with bubbles & nibbles. 1-3pm, $75. Includes entry to garden. To book, phone or txt Debbie 0272657541
Flaxmere – Hawarden
Jemima Savage & Lou Boissard will explain the creation of the new dry/gravel garden 2 years on from planting. Friday Oct 30, 10 am. See Flaxmere advertisement page 35 for more details.
Loch Leven - Rotherham
Workshop: How to develop structure in your garden to complement seasonal interest - Join Lucy from Wandle Garden Co., Landscape Architect and Gardening Enthusiast!
She will work through the layers to establish a garden with year-round structure. Lucy has a passion for flowers and will share techniques for including annuals and perennials within your garden in a way that complements the seasons. You will have the opportunity to begin creating a concept for your own space with Lucy’s guidance.
When: Friday 31st October at 11am (90mins)
Cost: $25 (plus entry to Loch Leven)
Limited to 12 people - to book your spot: Please message or call Lucy, 027 349 3312.
Coldstream – Culverden
Experience: Lissa Holland Artist will be painting throughout the festival, come along to see her working on her latest piece
Flaxmere – Hawarden
Jemima Savage & Lou Boissard will explain the creation of the new dry/gravel garden 2 years on from planting. Friday Oct 30, 10 am. See Flaxmere advertisement page 35 for more details.
Tipapa Estate – Greta Valley
Guided Tour:
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: $25 per person.
Tours run daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
To secure your place, we encourage pre-booking by emailing jane@tipapaestate.co.nz with the subject “HGF house tour.” Payment can be made by direct debit once your booking is confirmed, or by cash or HGF tickets on the day.
Blue House – Amberley
Guided Tour: Jenny will be giving three focused walking tours of the garden with Q & A, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. She will demonstrate how to plant and care for summer dry gardens which require no additional irrigation, but which are vibrant, flower filled and beautiful. This is a free session, no booking required.
Saturday
The Geens - Hanmer Springs
Experience: Christmas Grotto – Come and be inspired – a magical experience for all. Bespoke decorations for sale. Open daily and free with admission
Straw Bale House: Hanmer Springs
Workshop: Weaving with garden materials – with Hannah Schickedanz, an established Wellington artist.
Using the ancient art of weaving, participants will create a basket from foraged materials from the garden. Venue indoors in case of bad weather. Daily from 1-4 (afternoon tea provided). All materials provided. Cost $100 (In addition to garden admission fee of $10).
Booking essential.
Contact hannah@schickeda.nz
St Helen's Station Homestead - Hanmer Springs
Homestead Interior Tours:
The interior of the homestead will be accessible only by 45-minute guided tour by the owners. The tour will cover the history of the homestead and the station, highlighting the eclectic collections in the main rooms. Each tour limited to 12 people, tour cost $25 p.p. Pre-booking advised; email sthelenshomestead@gmail.com to book.
Lochiel Station gardens: Hanmer Springs.
Art by Mary McRae will be displayed for purchase.
Hemingford - Culverden
Lissa Holland Art Exhibition - Exhibition of paintings for sale. Daily and free.
The Top Cottage – Culverden
Jane McIntosh Art Exhibition in her studio. Featuring still life’s, local & rural scenes.
Tom McIntosh: Sculptures to view throughout garden.
Debbie Banks: Festive Fare Xmas Table Arrangement Workshop with bubbles & nibbles. 1-3pm, $75. Includes entry to garden. To book, phone or txt Debbie 0272657541
Flaxmere – Hawarden
A walk Around the Garden with Penny Zino. Meet outside the barn at 10am. All aspects of the garden will be covered.
Loch Leven - Rotherham
Demonstration: Sloe Gin – Angus Galletly and Eddie Davies will talk about making sloe gin and have some for tasting. Saturday 1 November 2 – 4pm Cost free with admission.
Food Growing Talk:Angela Clifford from The Food Farm giving a food growing talk, including what to plant when throughout the year to feed your family. Will demonstrate seed sowing and propagating, importance of succession, perennial vegetables plus all sorts of other useful information for growing vegetables. When: Saturday 1st November 2pm (1 hour talk). Cost: $15 per person refundable on purchase of new book ($55) garden entry $10.
Coldstream – Culverden
Experience: Lissa Holland Artist will be painting throughout the festival, come along to see her working on her latest piece
Toi Toi – Greta Valley
Workshop: Tui Blooms Wreath Making Workshop. Saturday 1st November 11am-12.30pm.
Enjoy a short demonstration followed by making of your own personal creatin to take home. All materials provided. $50 including garden entry, contact nicki.greenwood@scorch.co.nz or phone 027 635 9295 to book your spot. (Tickets limited to 10 people)
Tipapa Estate – Greta Valley
Guided Tour:
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: $25 per person.
Tours run daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
To secure your place, we encourage pre-booking by emailing jane@tipapaestate.co.nz with the subject “HGF house tour.” Payment can be made by direct debit once your booking is confirmed, or by cash or HGF tickets on the day.
Karetu Downs – Waipara Gorge
Guided Tour: Fossils and Concretions Tour: Discover the history and uniqueness of the Waipara River on a guided tour with geologist Dr Kate Pedley. When: 12.30pm.For booking or for more information click on the book tickets button on our website hurunuigardenfestival.com/karetudowns
Blue House – Amberley
Guided Tour: Jenny will be giving three focused walking tours of the garden with Q & A, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. She will demonstrate how to plant and care for summer dry gardens which require no additional irrigation, but which are vibrant, flower filled and beautiful. This is a free session, no booking required.
Sunday
The Geens – Hanmer Springs
Experience: Christmas Grotto – Come and be inspired – a magical experience for all. Bespoke decorations for sale. Open daily and free with admission.
Straw Bale House: Hanmer Springs
Workshop: Weaving with garden materials – with Hannah Schickedanz, an established Wellington artist.
Using the ancient art of weaving, participants will create a basket from foraged materials from the garden. Venue indoors in case of bad weather. Daily from 1-4 (afternoon tea provided). All materials provided. Cost $100 (In addition to garden admission fee of $10).
Booking essential.
Contact hannah@schickeda.nz
St Helen's Station Homestead - Hanmer Springs
Homestead Interior Tours:
The interior of the homestead will be accessible only by 45-minute guided tour by the owners. The tour will cover the history of the homestead and the station, highlighting the eclectic collections in the main rooms. Each tour limited to 12 people, tour cost $25 p.p. Pre-booking advised; email sthelenshomestead@gmail.com to book.
Lochiel Station gardens: Hanmer Springs.
Art by Mary McRae will be displayed for purchase.
Hemingford - Culverden
Lissa Holland Art Exhibition - Exhibition of paintings for sale. Daily and free.
The Top Cottage – Culverden
Jane McIntosh Art Exhibition in her studio. Featuring still life’s, local & rural scenes.
Tom McIntosh: Sculptures to view throughout garden.
Debbie Banks: Festive Fare Xmas Table Arrangement Workshop with bubbles & nibbles. 1-3pm, $75. Includes entry to garden. To book, phone or txt Debbie 0272657541
Flaxmere – Hawarden
A walk Around the Garden with Penny Zino. Meet outside the barn at 10am. All aspects of the garden will be covered.
Waihi – Waipara Gorge
Experience: The band, Alpine Echoes, 12 noon till 3pm.
Experience: Marinas Medialunas: Argentinian pastries.
Coldstream – Culverden
Experience: Lissa Holland Artist will be painting throughout the festival, come along to see her working on her latest piece.
Tipapa Estate – Greta Valley
Guided Tour:
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: $25 per person.
Tours run daily at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
To secure your place, we encourage pre-booking by emailing jane@tipapaestate.co.nz with the subject “HGF house tour.” Payment can be made by direct debit once your booking is confirmed, or by cash or HGF tickets on the day.
Blue House – Amberley
Guided Tour: Jenny will be giving three focused walking tours of the garden with Q & A, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. She will demonstrate how to plant and care for summer dry gardens which require no additional irrigation, but which are vibrant, flower filled and beautiful. This is a free session, no booking required.