Garden tour will meander south

PICTURESQUE: "The Oaks" in Greytown is one garden on the list for Pukaha Mt Bruce's annual Wairarapa Garden Tour next month.

Pukaha Mount Bruce's annual garden tour will focus on South Wairarapa this year.

The tour, on November 8-9, raises funds for Pukaha's conservation programme.

Pukaha spokeswoman Jo Parker says the garden tour has gained a reputation for showcasing a variety of interesting Wairarapa gardens - most of which are not normally open to the public.

This is the fourth year the garden tour has been held.

"This year, the garden tour will focus on South Wairarapa gardens including Martinborough, Greytown and Featherston," she said.

"Gardens range from grand well-established gardens and farm gardens to newly established 'town' gardens." Ms Parker said one garden, Waiorongomai Station, was established in 1850, has its own church (All Saints Church), and is so special that a book has been written about the farm and its owners.

The tickets, which are valid for both days, are available at wairarapagardentour.co.nz or at retail outlets including certain iSite branches (such as Masterton and Martinborough), Wairarapa Westpac sites, Clareville Nursery, the Good Mood Company in Greytown and Pukaha Mount Bruce Visitor Centre.

Tickets cost $45 per person and include a complimentary visit to Pukaha Mount Bruce when you present your garden tour ticket.

Ms Parker said the tour could not be held without the support of garden owners who had opened their gardens to support Pukaha.

Pukaha needs to raise $150,000 to maintain predator control in its 940ha forest.

For more information, visit wairarapagardentour.co.nz.