Helping the visitor sector to bloom through cluster development, Manawatū Gardens Festival launches this Saturday. After a successful pilot event in 2023, Manawatū Gardens Festival is back for 2024 with the festival launching on Saturday 9th November and running for nine days. 

From seven gardens in 2023, this year's event features 20 gardens and culminates in the iconic Cross Hills Gardens Country Fair in Kimbolton. 

What is the purpose of the festival? 

The aim of the festival is to drive wider season visitation, and to offer visitors – and locals – a coordinated experience featuring some of our most beautiful public and private gardens.  

“We know that our region has an exceptional and diverse range of garden experiences and has an assorted mix of public and private gardens. We also know from our consumer research that visitors are highly interested in gardens and the outdoors – so this festival is a win-win!” says Michelle Jurgens, Sector Development Senior, CEDA. 

One of the key focus areas in our region’s Destination Management Plan outlined the need to ‘Support Manawatū’s stakeholders to enhance and develop innovative and contemporary visitor experiences that will strongly appeal to our target visitor markets.’  

This has driven CEDA’s approach to creating a cluster of gardens to create a bespoke trail and event, showcasing the regions’ outstanding and diverse array of gardens. From an established Pinetum with stunning views out beyond the ranges, to an Italian renaissance-inspired garden hidden away on the outskirts of the city.  

How can I experience the festival? 

This is a self-drive self-guided festival. You can access information on each garden along with a trail map with all the locations, here on the festival hub. 

Entry to some of the gardens is free, and some have entry fees.  

“I'd encourage you to make a weekend out of it – or two! Invite your friends and whānau here to show off what’s on offer here in our region – I promise you’ll be pleasantly surprised,” adds Michelle.

How can my garden be involved in 2025? 

We’re already looking to the 2025 festival, so if you have a beautiful garden that you're keen to share, get in touch with the team at CEDA to find out how to be involved.