26 Nov 2015

Auckland gets new flower show

11:12 am on 26 November 2015

Auckland is set to host an international flower show next year - the city's first since the Ellerslie show left town in 2008.

NZ Flower & Garden Show event director Kate Hillier at Bastion Point, where the event will be held in November 2016.

NZ Flower & Garden Show event director Kate Hillier at Bastion Point, where the event will be held in November 2016. Photo: Supplied

The inaugural New Zealand Flower and Garden Show will be held at Bastion Point next November.

The Ellerslie show was sold to Christchurch in 2007, but was canned this year after making losses in 2013 and 2014.

Kate Hillier - a multi-award winning designer and international flower show judge - is directing the Auckland event, and said changes have been made to reflect current gardening trends.

"People are really getting to enjoy gardening, the whole 'sustainable grow your own' thing. But people are actually enjoying getting out into the garden, so that's something we will focus on at the show, but incorporating more urban courtyard city lifestyles as well."

The Ellerslie International Flower Show at North Hagley Park features more than 80 horticultural exhibits.

An example of a display from the 2012 Ellerslie Flower Show in Christchurch Photo: RNZ

Ms Hillier said the show would put New Zealand back on the world stage of garden and floral design. The organisers hope to attract more than 100 horticultural displays, and another 200 industry exhibitors.

Speaking on Behalf of Ngati Whatua Ōrākei, Whai Maia chair Wayne said the Iwi was excited to see their land used for the show.

"It is fitting that Bastion Point should be a meeting place for designers of all nations who share our love of the visual and spiritual properties of plants," he said.

When the Ellerslie Flower show moved to Christchurch it was estimated to be worth more than $15 million to the Auckland economy, attracting 65,000 visitors.

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