Te Kāinga Marire is the only private native garden sanctuary in New Zealand to be rated as a Garden of International Significance. Te Kāinga Marire’s (translated ‘peaceful encampment’) point of difference lies in the natural plant associations that evoke a feeling of the real New Zealand. This native plant paradise was developed in 1972 from clay wasteland. Keen outdoor adventurers, the owners wanted a bird-friendly garden designed around the ecological groups they had observed in the wild. New Zealand native grasses, climbers, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees have been carefully nurtured around rustic fences, a wetland, a colonial bush hut and cool fern-filled whare. Shy tui now regularly fly into the garden to feed.  

 This garden features in the BBC series Around the World in 80 Gardens, which first screened in 2008 and has been awarded a 2021 Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Award for enduring commitment to environmental protection and improvement, and inspiring others to act.   

In recognition of our late garden photographer Rob Tucker, a portion of the proceeds from this festival will be donated to the Taranaki Hospice.