Breast awareness at the greatest show on earth
The NZ Flower & Garden Show (NZFGS) is back, with more floral flair and horticultural highlights than ever before!
Boasting the support of the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ (BCFNZ) as the official charity, as well as international designer Pascal Garbe as Convenor of Judges, the newly located Show is set to be the best yet.
Putting roots down this year in Waitakere, the five-day event will run from 29 November to 3 December 2017, from 10.00am – 6.00pm at the Trusts Arena grounds, with tickets available from May 1 via Ticketek – just in time for Mother’s Day gifting.
Kate Hillier, NZFGS Event Director and multi-award winning garden designer, says the Show is set to wow all attendees with something for everyone.
“Fashionistas, foodies, DIYers, hobby gardeners as well as the garden shed tinkerers, green-thumbs and flower enthusiasts will be impressed by the 100+ displays across over ten different categories,” says Hillier.
“Special highlights to look out for include BCFNZ’s Pink Ribbon Walk, the Floral Art Marquee showcasing the theme ‘Celebrating NZ’s Multicultural Society’, and international designer Pascal Garbe’s feature display, which is always a feast for the senses!”
The multi-award winning French designer Pascal Garbe, has previously judged NZ gardens and shows, but says he never tires of seeing the antipodean creativity and style.
“The journey to the Southern Hemisphere is always worth it when I get to see the unique perspective that Kiwis bring to their designs,” says Garbe. “This year I’ll be looking for gardens that are both aspirational and accessible – a truly successful garden design is not just one that wows patrons, but also inspires show attendees to get their hands dirty in their own backyard.”
New to the Show this year is the BCFNZ Pink Ribbon Walk, which will be designed and built by breast cancer survivor and award winning garden designer, Norma de Langen, who describes the design as symbolic of every breast cancer patient’s journey starting from the moment of diagnosis, surgery and treatment before emerging out the ‘other side’ and returning to normality.
“The walk begins at ground level on one side of the garden, rising to become a place to sit and rest, before returning down and out the other side,” says de Langen. “Swathes of flowering annuals, perennials, grasses and shrubs are set among small trees, surrounding the path, with two walls and three pink pillars of flowering petunias enclosing the garden on two sides.”
CEO of BCFNZ, Evangelia Henderson, says she is looking forward to seeing the event come to life.
“We’re so pleased to see the NZ Flower & Garden Show back! It’s a wonderful event where people can take in the beautiful surrounds and enjoy the pink ribbon walk, all while contributing vital funds to help us push for new frontiers in early breast cancer detection, treatment and support,” she says.
The Show will officially open with a glamorous Charity Gala on Tuesday 28 November for 1,000 special guests. As part of the exclusive event, guests will get the first look at all display gardens and a chance to talk to each of the designers, while enjoying champagne and canapes. Proceeds from all Charity Gala tickets purchased will go to BCFNZ. Tickets to the Charity Gala can be purchased by emailing tickets@nzfgs.co.nz.
The NZ Flower & Garden Show tickets are on sale 1 May from Ticketek, pricing starts at $28+bf pp and children under the age of 12 are free.
For more information:
Visit www.nzflowergardenshow.co.nz or download the event app “NZFGS” from the Apple App Store or Google Play.