Lan Yuan - Dunedin Chinese Garden is an authentic example of a late Ming early Ching Dynasty scholar’s garden and celebrates the Chinese influence on Otago's history and heritage.

Over a century old, this large garden surrounding historic Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula is at an altitude of 300 metres. The scenery is spectacular and though the garden is subjected to wind and low rainfall it contains a unique collection of plants seldom seen elsewhere. Some remnants from the original plantings 120 years ago - Cupressus macrocarpa, planted extensively for shelter and a cedar to one side of the castle - give an air of maturity. The plantings reflect the owner's interest in New Zealand plants and in their southern hemisphere relations.

The Botanic Garden is a garden of great variety with the Leith Stream on the southern boundary and Lindsay Creek running through the middle dividing the garden in two. From the formal, almost level area of the lower garden with its herbaceous borders, rose garden, camellia collection, herb garden and the beautifully planted Lister Garden, to the major collection of plants in the rock garden on the slopes leading to the upper garden, there are features for all to enjoy.

It is just 10 minutes' drive from Wellington's central business district to the five hectare Ōtari – Wilton’s plant collections and 90 hectares of bush where you may find some of the mature podocarp bush that once covered much of the city. This unique plant sanctuary has this country's foremost collection of native plants including many rare and endangered species.

Ōhinetahi consists of a number of formal rooms, of differing style and character, arranged about two axes running east-west and north-south in the arts and crafts style. The formal lawn beside the house, has curved macrocarpa hedges at one end, balanced by a pool and pool house.

Olveston is an authentic and original historic home depicting the life of a wealthy merchant family in the early part of the twentieth century.

One of the oldest botanic gardens in New Zealand, this central city garden was established in 1868. The major conifer species which are a feature were planted then as part of a programme to import plant species and assess their economic potential to the new colony. The very large specimens of Pinus radiata that dominate the landscape were grown from the first seed of that species to be imported from California.

Renowned for its beautiful trees, the Christchurch Botanic Garden, part of Hagley Park, dates back to the early 1860s when the first plantings were made. The garden is flat and easily explored with an information centre, tea kiosk and all facilities.

Situated a stone’s throw from the Wellington Central Business District, Government House was built in 1910 on the site previously occupied by the Mount View lunatic asylum and is set amongst 12 hectares of land that stretch from the hills of Mount Victoria to the Newtown flats.

When the town was surveyed in 1858, 34 acres were set aside as a public reserve; Oamaru Gardens opened on this site in 1876 making it one of the oldest in the country. The gardens have an air of maturity greatly enhanced by the plantings along the Oamaru Creek which meanders along its length. Colourful annuals are bedded out on the sweeping lawns and an immaculate rose garden is a centerpiece.

Managed by the New Plymouth District Council, Pukekura is a nationally significant park with a large exotic specimen tree collection inter planted within a margin of luxuriant native bush. The park has been continuously developed since its inception in 1876. Its north south linear shape follows a natural stream valley where a series of artificial lakes have been created by damming the flow at various points.

Pukeiti is located adjacent to the National Park - on the slopes of Taranaki. It features many kilometres of well-formed tracks for either a garden walk or a longer adventure into the rainforest. Wonder at the beauty of the world-class rhododendron collection, sense the history and learn the stories of the land.

From the elegant Feldwick Gates entrance off Gala Street, an avenue of English beech leads into the heart of this extensive park - all the major features can be explored from this impressive walkway.

These beautiful gardens were started in the 1870s when two of the region’s oldest introduced trees were planted – the Sycamore and Oak, which are now protected. A native Kauri tree was also planted there in the 1960s and, in the decades since, the gardens have gradually evolved and been enhanced.

This former greywacke quarry has been transformed into an arboretum over the past 32 years. It provides the foundation for a unique art-in-nature concept throughout its 17.5 hectares where imaginations are inspired, creative exploration encouraged and mental and physical health nurtured.