In the heart of New Plymouth, landscape designer Michael Mansvelt has transformed a high-profile space into a pop-up rainforest beside a stream.
Using luxuriant planting with sound and lighting elements, Michael’s landscape design project Return to Paradise is a restful and reflective place for people to ponder “what was here before?”.
Temporary planter boxes, “as much greenery as possible” and places to sit, will all help people enjoy returning to paradise. “One of the objectives is to get people to sit there, enjoy the space and take it all in,” he says.
“I want people to feel inspired; it would be really lovely for people to feel a connection to the earth and the native plantings and be inspired to do similar plantings in their own gardens. There’s space all around that’s really under-loved that we could be planting.”
This year’s project flows on from Lost Paradise, the highly successful landscape design project Michael created on the edges of Pukekura Park in 2016.
Michael Mansvelt is a much-lauded designer of beautiful, timeless and inspirational landscapes, houses and interiors. With his New Plymouth-based team, he works on projects nationwide, taking a fresh approach to time-honoured principles.
As a landscape designer, Michael has starred in television gardening shows Back to Basics and Mucking In. He is also a regular writer for Your Home & Garden, had many of his design projects featured in national magazines and is now working on Everyday Opulence, a coffee table book covering his interior and landscape design.
Return to Paradise, will be open daily during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival.
Date: Fri 28 Oct–Sun 6 Nov
Venue Huatoki Plaza, Devon Street West, CBD New Plymouth
On the edge of the garden, daily during the festival, you can find Marcella’s Market. Grab your daily espresso coffee from the onsite café, The Barrel, and pursue the hand-crafted, quality goods from local stall holders. Plants, produce and garden art will be on display including local honey produced from bees on the property.
To see the full list of what’s on offer visit
@marcellapointnz on Facebook.
The list keeps growing – just like a garden.
The BARREL
Full Café amenities
Date/Time: Daily 9–5.30pm
Venue Marcella Point, 280 Mountain Road, Lepperton
Admission: Free event, usual garden fee applies
(one ticket)
Fundraiser for Conductive Education Taranaki
You’re invited to indulge yourself with a cup of nonsense and a slice of whimsy at our topsy-turvy Mad Hatter Garden Tea Party. You’ll get a complementary gift and all the proceeds from your entry go directly to Conductive Education Taranaki, our local charity dedicated to maximising the ability in disability.
www.conductivetaranaki.org.nz/events/
Date/Time 10am–2.30pm Daily
Venue Church Hall, Oak Valley,
248 Junction Rd, New Plymouth
Details: Head into the Oak Valley Church where tea, coffee and refreshments will be available for purchase
Lunch in a Tropical Oasis
Between 12pm - 3pm daily
Light Lunch with LongBush Wine Match.
$50pp.
Bookings are Essential - call Nice Hotel 06 7586423
