Quarry Gardens to get an Infrastructure Boost
Whangārei’s landmark Quarry Gardens will get some desperately needed access upgrades over the next year, thanks to a $781,000 grant by the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).
Whangarei District Council successfully applied for TIF funding for a 53% contribution to the total $1,481,000 upgrade planned for the Quarry Gardens on Russell Road.
The TIF grant will be used to extend car park areas and provide enough space for buses to turn and park safely.
The narrow, one-way gravel drive to the Gardens will also be replaced with a wider, asphalt-sealed driveway with a new pedestrian path from the roadside carpark to the visitor centre.
This work will make it safer and easier for visitors to access the Gardens and handle increasing visitor numbers.
The Quarry Gardens are located on Council-owned recreation reserve land, bordering the larger Coronation Scenic Reserve, which includes walking tracks through forest-clad hills, archaeological pa sites and pits, historic gold mining areas, and a scenic lookout.
For the past 20 years the Whangarei Quarry Gardens Trust, through the work of many dedicated volunteers, has been developing the formerly abandoned quarry into a stunning sub-tropical garden, visitor centre and café, which is now visited by people from all over the world.
Currently ranked a Garden of Significance, it requires only a few more points from the judges to become a Garden of National Significance.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.5% Yes
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33.7% Maybe?
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24.8% No
Some Choice News!
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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