A group of Ngai Tahu representatives has visited north-eastern France to begin planning a Maori garden, to be installed there over the coming year.
The delegation of three, led by Tutehounuku Korako, has returned to New Zealand after spending five days in Moselle.
The Laquenexy Flavour Garden is working with Ngai Tahu and the Ellerslie International Flower Show to design the installation, which will be the second in a series of first nation gardens.
Mr Korako told the French television station, France 3, the iwi agreed to help design the garden because it will profile Maori culture and help build relationships abroad.
He says the French have a passionate flair similar to Maori, and he is confident the French will maintain the garden well.
The garden open for public viewing by June next year.
