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Hollard Gardens

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Hollard Gardens is open all day, every day

Address: 1686 Upper Manaia Road Kaponga View on Google maps (external link)

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Tread the soils

This horticultural oasis was created by a passionate plantsman and the passion is contagious.

HELP US KEEP OUR GARDENS LOOKING BEAUTIFUL

We're always looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks - we're sure to  have something to suit you!
Find out more and register online

Family corner

Hollard Gardens features a very popular family corner which includes a playground, free barbecues and kitchenette.

Family corner image

Family corner

Hollard Gardens features a very popular family corner which includes a playground, free barbecues and kitchenette.

Bernie's Home Garden image

Bernie's Home Garden

Bernie’s Home Garden is where different methods of growing food are explored.

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The informal and intimate garden

Hollard Gardens are informal and intimate, with a huge variety of native and exotic plants. Many are rare and endangered.

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Hollard Gardens image

The informal and intimate garden

Hollard Gardens are informal and intimate, with a huge variety of native and exotic plants. Many are rare and endangered.

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The Hollard Centre image

The Hollard Centre

The Hollard Centre contains a gardening library and hosts seasonal exhibitions and displays.

Freedom Camping at Hollard Gardens

At Hollard Gardens, motorhomes and caravans are welcome to stay in the carpark for up to three nights. There are toilets available in the Hollard Centre.

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Freedom Camping at Hollard Gardens

At Hollard Gardens, motorhomes and caravans are welcome to stay in the carpark for up to three nights. There are toilets available in the Hollard Centre.

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Hollard Gardens plants

Bernie's Plant Register

Use Bernie's Plant Register to find out about the plants at Hollard Gardens.

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The Woodlands School

The Woodlands School is a study unit developed by the Taranaki Regional Council outlining the activities available for teachers and classes visiting Hollard Gardens.

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The Woodlands School image

The Woodlands School

The Woodlands School is a study unit developed by the Taranaki Regional Council outlining the activities available for teachers and classes visiting Hollard Gardens.

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Memberships and certifications

Memberships and Environment

Hollard Gardens strives to offer visitors the best possible experience while ensuring the natural environment is protected and improved. We work with a range of organisations to achieve these goals, drawing on their specialist expertise, experience, expert assessment processes, networking opportunities and more. See a summary of our memberships and certifications. [PDF, 328 KB]

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The history of Hollards

Hollard Gardens was established in 1927 by Bernie and Rose Hollard. Now owned and managed by the Taranaki Regional Council, it is a Garden of National Significance.

The name Hollard is synonymous with gardening. Garden enthusiasts in New Zealand and overseas have, for many years, added Hollard Gardens to their bucket list of places to visit.

Bernie Hollard’s interest in all things horticulture began in his early years while he helped his grandparents in their garden. In 1926, he bought the Upper Manaia Rd dairy farm, but was quick to bring in sharemilkers so that he could focus on his gardening. He was known to be working from dawn until dusk in the large garden, with Rose often having to search for him to remind him to eat. He was a hard-working and patient plantsman. He believed that the best plants were the ones worth waiting for. The plant that he bred and was well known for was the Rhododendron Kaponga which took 12 years to flower.

As a regular contributor to a national gardening magazine, Bernie was recognised by his peers for both his horticultural knowledge and his generosity in sharing it.

Hollard Gardens is unique in the fact that it is an achievement of almost a lifetime of work by a private individual. It is a plantsman’s garden and a reflection of patience and horticultural skill. Bernie selected his plants based on personal appeal and whether they would fill gaps in his existing collections of species or varieties. The overall design of the garden considered not only the aesthetics, but whether a plant would thrive in its environment. Bernie’s wife Rose Hollard worked alongside him in early years and grew her own knowledge of plants.

From the early 1970s, the gardens were open to the public over Labour weekend as a fundraiser for the Kaponga Lions Club. Although Hollards was a private garden, visitors were welcome and enthusiastic gardeners, horticulturalists and ornithologists visited by appointment. In the peak season, busloads of people arrived.