Pukeiti

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Pukeiti is a garden, rhododendron collection and rainforest. It is open all day every day for the public to enjoy. We ask that everyone follows these guidelines.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

These guidelines cover all pages managed by Taranaki Regional Council, across all social media platforms. We encourage conversation and participation in our online communities and welcome a diverse range of views. It is important to us that our community is safe and respectful and that conversations are constructive. If you post a comment or reply or send a message that breaks these rules, it may be hidden or removed. We may also choose to block you. Be respectful: We will not tolerate comments we consider offensive, sexist, racist, profane, defamatory, threatening or which are otherwise inappropriate or harmful – whether towards us, our staff, our partners or other groups or individuals. Keep it relevant: Stay on topic with what the conversation is about. You can always contact us directly if you have queries or concerns about an unrelated topic. Stick to the facts: Much of our work involves scientific fact and information. Our community relies on our online space to be a place of truth and fact so we require comments to be the same. Differences of opinion are OK, sharing misinformation is not. Protect privacy: Please do not share any personal or sensitive information about yourself or others. No spam: Please no unsolicited ads or repeat comments, messages or posts. See a te reo Māōri word and want to know the meaning in English? Visit Māori Dictionary https://maoridictionary.co.nz/ or respectfully ask – it’s a great opportunity for us all to learn together. Read more about Taranaki Regional Council's use of social media: https://www.trc.govt.nz/council/contact-us/social-media

25/10/2026

Join one of our gardeners for a free guided walk and discover more about this special place during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival.

📅 3 November
🕐10am to 11.30am
🎟 Free

22/10/2026

If you love rhododendrons this one's for you! 🌸

Join our Rhododendron Collections Officer for a special guided walk during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival exploring the incredible varieties and rich history of Pukeiti's rhododendron collection.

This one-off event is free to attend!

📅 Friday 6 November
🕐10am to 11.30am

21/10/2026

Something exciting is coming to the Rainforest Eatery on Saturday, 14 November! ☕

We've got some big news brewing at the Rainforest Eatery and we can't wait to share it with you.

As we prepare for what's next, the eatery will remain closed during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival (30 October-8 November).

But don't worry! The Morning Ritual coffee cart will be onsite every day from 10am-3pm, serving freshly brewed coffee and a selection of packaged treats.

If you're planning a visit to Pukeiti during the festival, we recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy among the beautiful gardens.

Keep an eye on our page. We'll have more to share soon.

20/10/2026

Good coffee and a wander through Pukeiti? Sounds like a pretty good combination!

The Morning Ritual will be joining us throughout the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, serving up fresh brews and a selection of package treats every day. Grab a coffee and enjoy everything Pukeiti has to offer.

While the Rainforest Eatery won't be open during the festival, you're more than welcome to bring along a picnic and find a spot on the main lawn to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

📅 30 October – 8 November
⏰ 9am–2pm daily

18/10/2026

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Pukeiti? 🌿

Join Head Gardener Kristian during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival for a free guided walk as he shares some of the latest projects, garden highlights and what the team have been working on.

📅 Saturday 31 October
🕐 10am to 11.30am
🎟 Free

15/10/2026

There's more to Pukeiti than meets the eye! 🌱

Join Andrew for a free guided walk exploring some of the rare and unusual plants growing in the garden. Discover their stories and learn about the conservation efforts helping them thrive.

📅 Sunday 1 November
🕐 10am–11.30am
🎟 Free

13/10/2026

A special farewell exhibition is coming to Pukeiti during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival . 🎨

After ten years of painting and teaching in New Plymouth, artist Jana Branca is marking the end of a chapter with Yours Faithfully, Jana Branca.

Visit the Rātā Room during the Garden Festival to explore this heartfelt final exhibition.

📅 30 October – 8 November
🕐 10am to 3pm everyday
🎟 Free entry.

08/10/2026

Throwback Thursday: Pukeiti was growing! 🌺

By the 1960s and 70s, the vision that started with a patch of bush and a group of passionate volunteers was becoming an established garden.

New areas were being created, the rhododendron collection was growing and more people were discovering Pukeiti.

The Valley of the Giants was created in 1960, Cook House followed in 1973 and in 1976, Pukeiti celebrated its first big milestone – 25 years! 🎉

These photos capture some of the celebrations, along with the changes taking place around the gardens during this time.

That same year, the first Display House was completed to showcase subtropical vireya rhododendrons.

Now, 50 years on from that milestone, we're getting ready to celebrate another.

75 years of Pukeiti – 1 November 2026. 🌺

06/10/2026

75 years of Pukeiti 🌺

The Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival is just around the corner and there’s plenty happening at Pukeiti throughout the festival.

05/10/2026

The rhododendrons are absolutely stunning right now! The height of the season is approaching and the garden is looking vibrant and beautiful in the spring sunshine. The rhododendron stroll is the perfect way to see the best of the garden at this time of year, and on a clear day you can enjoy the views out to the Pouakai and Kaitake ranges beyond the flowers.
Pictured here are Rhododendron macabeanum, R. 'Alpine Glow', R. irroratum 'Polka Dot', but there are plenty more to marvel at!

Address

2290 Carrington Road
New Plymouth
4374

Telephone

+64800736222

Website

http://www.pukeiti.nz/

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