WOW! The garden trail created a weekend beyond all expectations in Te Horo.  It attracted more than 1200 visitors and raised over $50,000 for the hall.

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Visitors came from throughout the lower North Island including Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Wellington, as well as the Kapiti Coast – and some from further afield.  They heaped praise on the 14 gardens that opened their gates, which looked fabulous after months of work by their owners. They particularly loved the variety of styles, ranging from sandy creativity at the beach to formal and informal designs, flowers, trees, meadows, natives, lifestyle blocks, rocky sites, stone walls and water features up the Gorge.

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At Trail HQ in Te Horo Hall, stall holders offered a range of goods for sale – garden-inspired arts & crafts, plants, flowers, preloved tools and books - all reflecting nature and gardening which created a perfect connection to garden lovers on the trail.

The café at the Hall offered Devonshire teas and homemade eats & treats that reflected the character of the Te Horo community, while a coffee cart outside provided the real deal.

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With the help of 30-plus local volunteers the result was two days of very happy customers, visitors and participants: the atmosphere was fantastic. Many people said they hoped we would do it again!

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A raffle made up of garden related goods donated by local businesses was an added bonus. Michael Moore, Waikanae Community Board drew the raffle Sunday night. 

1st Prize: Lilly Cooper; 2nd Prize: Glenda Parker; 3rd Prize: Theresa; 4thPrize: Gill Hogg; 5th Prize: Cherrilyn Howell.  All prizes have been delivered to the winners.

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The $50,000 raised by the Trail exceeded all expectations! The funds will contribute to the next priority for the ongoing restoration of the heritage hall-re-cladding the exterior, replacing ageing windows, and adding some new bi-fold exterior doors at the rear..

Huge thanks must go to many (below) including : the garden owners who perfected their gardens for the public to see; our principal sponsors who helped cover costs of printing brochures, signs and tickets; Michael Moore who gave his time to design the promotional materials; the garden centres that sold tickets; local businesses who donated goods or services;  locals who donated pre-loved garden books, plants and tools; and the many volunteers who gave their time to meet and greet visitors, work in  the café, pot plants for sale, erect signs, take down signs, make scones and lemonade, and much, much more. Then, of course, there was the contribution of the organising committee which produced the magic through hard work and a determination to make the garden trail a success. This event was another example of ‘by Te Horo for Te Horo’ and the Te Horo Hall Society Inc. is very grateful to everyone involved. THANK YOU ALL.

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For your interest see - https://www.facebook.com/share/1ACaECo1hA/ 

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Garden owners: as listed in the brochure, below.​

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Principal Sponsors: Kelly & Co, Waikanae Community Board, Otaki Community Board and Signs by Mike

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Supporting businesses: Web2Print, Watsons Garden Centre, Otaki.

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Garden Centres: The Garden Depot, Watsons, Harrisons, Te Horo Garden Centre and Palmers Plimmerton.

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Raffle Donors: Farmlands Otaki, Cream Design, Books & Co, Otaki Hydroponics, South Pacific Roses, Big Mac Slabs Paraparaumu, The Garden Depot Levin, The Greenery Garden Centre Manakau, Anne and Paul Barnett, Hammer Hardware Otaki, Kevin Haste, the late Celia McKenzie and Don McWhirter.​

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