Committee’s Welcome
Hello! A warm welcome to Garden Marlborough 2024. We have a jampacked programme, with something for everyone.
We are delighted to welcome Bayleys Marlborough onboard as our new principal sponsor. Bayleys are fantastic supporters of the Marlborough community and we look forward to working alongside Glenn and the Bayleys team to elevate the festival to new heights.
The committee would like to thank outgoing naming sponsor Rapaura Springs for all their support. They will generously continue to provide wine for our guests to enjoy throughout the event.
We are excited to have the highly respected international educator and designer, UK-based Annie Guilfoyle, joining us this year. Annie will deliver three stimulating workshops; what makes a great garden, creating contemporary small gardens, and using concepts in design. Our Thursday night culinary presenter is New Zealand’s own Michael Van de Elzen who will be sharing his passion for cooking from scratch. Noel Kingsbury, the highly accomplished plantsman, will join us on Sunday morning via a prerecorded talk about planting wild style gardens, prepared exclusively for Garden Marlborough.
We have many lecture styled workshops including edible gardening for the time-poor, dry gardening, low energy housing or a day out in the Te Hoiere/Pelorus Sound. Or for those of you looking for something more hands-on, why not try gin-making, botanical drawing, crafting a willow garden obelisk or nest, a fresh floral arrangement or wreath.
Excitingly, for the first time, the ‘Wild’ Garden Party will be held at Auntsfield Estate - a truly unique opportunity to spend a festive Saturday evening at this historic site. On Sunday, the STIHL Shop Garden Fete at Pollard Park is a day for the whole family. Look out for a new ticketed workshop for children – it’s going to be popular so book early to avoid disappointment.
A huge thank you to our loyal and remarkable group of garden owners, our invaluable volunteers, all our hugely supportive sponsors and funding partners, and to you, our guests. We look forward to celebrating with you in November.
- The Garden Marlborough Committee
The People Behind The Event
2024 Committee
Standing (left to right): Amanda McRae (Event Manager), Ben McLauchlan, Amanda Jones, Charlotte Dillon, Lucinda Clay, Jo McCormick (Event Administrator), Jenny Stark.
Seated (left to right) Kaara Wight, Andrew Vavasour, Sarah Greenslade.
Absent - Rachel Jackson-Hoare, Jenny Saggers.
Last year's successful 30th anniversary event was a wonderful celebration of our legendary gardens, superstar garden owners and the many amazing volunteers who make our event so iconic - and we’re back to do it all again! Our 2024 season is looking equally enticing with an abundance of interesting tours, workshops and keynote speakers - you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. Come and spend some of the good life with us this November.
As usual the festival involves a huge number of volunteers in the community who generously give their time to bring together the best event of its kind in New Zealand. The friendly and helpful people who staff our registration operation, the tour guides and workshop hosts, helpers at the fete site, those who make morning teas and lunches and other food, and many, many others. Our event depends on our extraordinary garden owners, who work tirelessly during the year to open their amazing environments for others to share in and be inspired by. Behind Garden Marlborough is a whole community of people, who come together to ensure we bring you a truly unforgettable experience.
From Our Sponsor
Welcome to Garden Marlborough 2024
As the proud principal sponsor, Bayleys Marlborough extends a heartfelt welcome to all who share our love for this special event. Garden Marlborough isn’t just an annual tradition for us, it’s a highlight on our calendar that we eagerly anticipate each year and we are thrilled to enhance our involvement by taking on this special sponsorship.
Our passion for this region and its beauty aligns perfectly with this vibrant event that celebrates the creativity and dedication of Marlborough’s gardeners. From the enchanting garden tours guided by local volunteers to the engaging workshops, speakers and social events, this year’s line-up promises to deliver some unforgettable experiences.
Many of our team members are avid gardeners themselves, so you’ll see several friendly faces from Bayleys Marlborough throughout the festival. We’ll be actively involved in many events, and you’ll also find us at the popular STIHL shop Garden Fete, eager to chat and share our local expertise with you.
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb, just starting your gardening journey, a nature enthusiast, or simply looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of our region, Garden Marlborough promises something for everyone so get ready to be inspired, educated and entertained.
We are excited to share our beloved Marlborough with you and hope you enjoy the festivities ahead!
Garden Marlborough In The Community
Garden Marlborough (2004) Inc is a not-for-profit registered charity. Our organisation provides community grants and other financial support for local initiatives from charity and fundraising activities to help fund local community projects. This enables us to achieve our organisation’s vision to promote the pleasures and benefits of gardening and to enhance the Marlborough environment.
Over the years we have assisted with improvements to Te Whanau Grovetown Lagoon; developments at Selmes Garden Trust; the establishment of edible gardens and shade trees in local schools; gifting of outdoor artwork and sculpture to Wairau Hospital and in Pollard Park, as well as aiding the development of the garden at Hospice Marlborough.
Each year Garden Marlborough funds a horticultural scholarship. This year’s successful recipient Daniel Watt is currently completing a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University. Daniel is highly regarded as an excellent student who is very passionate about Landscape Architecture. We are pleased to be able to support Daniel in continuing his study.
If you know of a worthwhile local project that you think would align with our values, please get in touch: info@gardenmarlborough.co.nz.
Daniel Watt, 2024 Garden Marlborough scholarship recipient
