1343 days ago

Poll: Does Christchurch still deserve the title of the Garden City?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch is still flying the Garden City flag, but is it still backing it up?

Elizabeth Peacock certainly doesn’t think so.

A past president of the Canterbury Horticultural Society, Peacock tells Frank Film that the state of some of the planted spaces of Christchurch are a disgrace.

Andrew Rutledge, the present head of parks, defends the current approach.

“We’re heading into a much more naturalised phase with a bigger focus on indigenous planting,” he tells Frank Film. “They’re not gardens.”


This, according to Rutledge, is meeting resistance from those who are still after the “highly groomed lawn”.

“I would be ashamed to bring anyone to have a look,” she says. “A garden should be joyous!”

Read more here and tell us what you think in the comments below.

Does Christchurch still deserve the title of the Garden City?
  • 42.5% Yes
    42.5% Complete
  • 53.5% No
    53.5% Complete
  • 4% I'm not sure/something else (tell us in the comments)
    4% Complete
449 votes
More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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27 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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G
3 days ago

Book Cellar Christmas Opening hours

Gail from Cashmere

Merry Christmas from The Book Cellar!
The summer break is the perfect time to relax with a book or two (or three or four…). And, of course, books make excellent gifts. There is still time to come in and find the perfect read for you or someone else.
We are open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week as usual, then our Christmas hours are:
Monday 22nd December, 10am – 3pm
Wednesday 24th December, 10am – 12noon
Friday 26th December (Boxing Day), 10am – 1pm (last day for the year).

We will reopen with our usual hours on Thursday 8th January 2026

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