Auckland: Green-fingered art

Your children will delight in exploring the Auckland Botanic Gardens' herb garden. Photo / Supplied

Dionne Christian looks at what's on for kids these holidays at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

If you ask me, one of the best things about living in South Auckland is being close to the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

No matter what the weather or time of year there's always something bright and inspiring to see at the gardens and Cafe Miko's creamy mushrooms on ciabatta bread are the best - just ask my five-year-old.

In a roundabout way it was food which brought us to the gardens for our latest - and long overdue - visit. Most school holidays the gardens run a free nature-themed programme for children and this year the focus is on subtropical sights, sounds, tastes and smells.

It began with Herbalicious, a two-hour workshop to introduce children to the many uses of herbs.

This started with a walk around the brick-paved garden so the kids could pick some herbs to use as pizza toppings.

From there we headed to the education centre at the Potter Children's Garden.

Pizza-making was first up. We learned that margherita pizza was invented to honour an Italian queen so its ingredients - red tomatoes, green basil and white mozzarella cheese - represent the colours of the Italian flag.

While the pizzas cooked, the children used spices to craft potpourri then made lavender and oatmeal bath-bombs. We drank lemon myrtle tea and, as we ate our pizzas, learned more about making our own refreshing herbal teas.

Upcoming events include Exotic Habits, where kids can tour the Potter Children's Garden and discover the different habitats in this one area, Taste of the Tropics (bookings essential) and a bird walk in the palm gardens.

There's an extra treat this year, especially for art-lovers. Recognising the relationship between nature and art, the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens have a visiting artist programme.

Painter, printmaker and film director Claudia Pond Eyley is the fifth artist to take part in the programme. She has long used gardens, including her own in Mt Eden, as a focus in her work: vibrant, lush and simply stunning.

There's a chance to see one of our most accomplished artists at work as she creates a large-screen print for display as she works in the gardens this month.

However, it's not all sitting back and watching. Children can create a fun mural with Pond Eyley in her art workshop and listen to two talks where she shares her story, explains what inspires her, and answers questions.

In February, Pond Eyley will exhibit the art she's created at the gardens.

Art aside, other summer activities include garden games and a family fun orienteering session.

There's also music right into March, including Elvis in the Gardens. And The Grand Budapest Hotel screens there as part of Auckland Council's Movies in Parks.

Even better, on Friday and Saturday nights until February 14, Cafe Miko opens till 7.30pm.

NEED TO KNOW

• Auckland Botanic Gardens are at 102 Hill Rd, Manurewa. Open daily 8am to 6pm (visitors' centre until 4.30pm on weekdays, 5pm weekends).

• The school holiday programme runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Taste of the Tropics January 22; Claudia Pond Eyley's Kids' Art Workshop, Saturday, January 24, talks on January 27, 10am, January 28, 5.30pm.

• Garden Games 10am to 12pm, January 27; Family Fun: Orienteering 10am to 12pm, January 29.

• The Grand Budapest Hotel, February 27 from 6.30pm. Phone: 267 1457 ext. 3 for bookings.