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Download a map of the Botanic Gardens [PDF, 2.2 MB] showing all event locations.

10am to 11.30am, Mondays during the school term

Calling all parents, grandparents and caregivers! Bring your preschool-aged tamariki into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to enjoy a simple craft or plant-based activity with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.

Stories, toys and colouring-in are available too.

  • All welcome - no booking needed (caregiver supervision is required).
  • Tea and coffee are provided.
  • Gold coin koha entry
  • Runs during school term-time.

Enjoy gardening and nature-based activities with your preschooler.

More information is available on the Canterbury Horticultural Society Facebook page(external link).

3.45pm to 5pm, third Thursday of the month

Join this enthusiastic group of children who meet for practical gardening activities and to learn the science of good gardening with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.

If you know a child between 7 and 14 years of age who would be interested in learning more about all sorts of gardening then get in touch with the CHS(external link). 

  • Meet at The Kiosk (just over the footbridge from the Armagh St car park).
  • Free, but participants must bring their own face mask and gloves for handling potting mix.

Please note that September's meeting will take place at the Lincoln Events Centre on Sunday 27 September at 1pm so children can explore and discuss the Botanical Expo.

10am to 3pm, Saturdays

Envirokids is a chance to connect kiwi kids to our environmental community and it's free! 

Every Saturday, the Envirohub(external link) will have activities for kids inspired by the mahi (work) of different organisations who work with the environment. Activities available between 10am-3pm every Saturday (even in the holidays!).

  • 10am to 3pm every Saturday at the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.
  • Children that come regularly can record their learning in a special passbook available once they attend their second event.
  • EnviroKids is also an accredited Children's University learning destination so stamps are available for participating children's passports.

Find out more information about EnviroKids(external link) or keep up to date on the EnviroKids Facebook(external link). 

10.30am to 1.30pm, Thursdays

Pop in for an environmental chat if you need inspiration or advice on anything from starting a new environmental project,  volunteer challenges,  funding advice for green projects, sustainability at home or waste and recycling processes. The EnviroHub are here to help!
  • An opportunity to join an on-going conversation or have a one on one chat.
  • Free, no bookings required.
  • Drop into the Kiosk anytime between 10.30am and 1pm in the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.

Find more information about Environmental Chat(external link).

Throughout the year

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens volunteer guides for free guided walks at the Botanic Gardens (November to April) and Mona Vale Gardens (year round). Pick and choose from a wonderful selection of topics or come along to all of them for a dose of exercise, beautiful displays and education rolled into one.

See the walk schedule.

Botanic Gardens Guided Walks

  • November to April
  • 1.30pm daily lasting 45 to 90 minutes.
  • Meet at the Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Mona Vale Guided Walks

  • Selected dates throughout the year.
  • 1.30pm, lasting approx. 90 minutes.
  • Meet by the Mona Vale rose garden.

If you have any queries about guided walks at Mona Vale or the Botanic Gardens, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com

10.30am, Friday 15 July

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens for their monthly speaker series.

May's speaker is Dr Chris Winefield, Associate Professor in Plant Genomics and Molecular Biology at Lincoln University. Dr Winefield will talk about colour variation in flowering plants caused by viral infections. 

  • $5 for CHS and Friends' members.
  • $10 for the general public.
  • Refreshments included.

Friends talks are hosted in the Kiosk - just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park, and near the children's play area. 

June to September

Held at Richmond Community Gardens, the Canterbury Horticultural Society is hosting four practical workshops that will teach you how to care for fruit trees. Each workshop is three hours long and can be booked on the CHS website.

Establishing Fruit Trees

A practical introduction to establishing fruit trees in Canterbury. By the end of this workshop, you will be able to confidently choose trees for your garden outlook and ensure they have the best start. A concentrated three-hour workshop including hands-on practical tuition.

Pip Fruit Pruning

Tame your apple, pear and quince trees! Understand how pruning can increase production and ensure the longevity of your fruit trees. 

Fruit Tree Grafting

Produce your own fruit trees and preserve heritage trees. 

7pm to 9pm Tuesdays, 5 July to 9 August

Transform your garden into a beautiful and practical outdoor space.

A short course introducing concepts of landscape theory and design that can be applied immediately to your own garden.

In this course you will:

  • Be introduced to the landscape design process, gaining a working understanding of how to bring a design from brief through to construction and use.
  • Gain an understanding of the main garden types and learn how to apply basic theoretical principles such as form, function, and colour to garden design.
  • Become acquainted with a series of powerful resources to further your own skills and capacity to engage in garden design.

​At the conclusion of this course all participants will create a basic concept plan of their own garden to commence their design journey. 

Tutor

Nathan Campbell – Graduate Landscape Architect, BLA(Hons)

Nathan is a recent graduate of Lincoln University, emerging into the profession as an enthusiastic advocate of biodiversity, cultural narrative and innovative design. His design approach focuses on kindling regeneration, creative solutions and finding genuine joy in designing for people.

Location

The classes are run by the Canterbury Horticultural Society at The Kiosk. 

Costs

  • $180 for members of the CHS
  • $225 for non-members
  • $230 for the course plus CHS membership

Book

Book your place on the CHS website(external link).

Become a Member of the CHS(external link) and receive up to 20% off all our courses and workshops.

7pm to 9pm Thursdays, 21 July to 25 August

Absorb the ancient Japanese art of Bonsai under the careful tutelage of the Avon Bonsai Society.

With comprehensive demonstrations and practical instruction, you will discover the history of Bonsai, traditional styles, material selection, propagation methods, wiring techniques and create your own saikei (planted landscape).

Costs

Become a Member of the CHS(external link) and receive up to 20% off all our courses and workshops.

Location

The classes are run by the Canterbury Horticultural Society at The Kiosk.

  • Christchurch Botanic Gardens | Te Māra Huaota Waipapa
  • Just over the Armagh Street footbridge
  • 03 366 6937
  • office@chsgardens.co.nz

Book

Find out more and book your place.(external link)

10am to 3pm, Thursday 4 August

Capture the delicate beauty of nature.

Join Taranaki artist, Dr Tabatha Forbes and create beautiful botanical drawings.

Drawing directly from the lush native and exotic foliage of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens this workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the timeless beauty of botanical art.

The price includes all materials required for the course. Beginners welcome, limited numbers.

Tutor

Tabatha holds a Doctorate in Fine Arts and has been teaching botanical art for nearly two decades. Her art practice includes painting, photography, installation and writing.

Currently living in Ōaonui, South Taranaki, she runs Forbes & Flay studio gallery in Ōpunake showcasing her and her sculptor husband’s work as well as hosting botanical and nature journaling workshops.

Location

The classes are run bythe  Canterbury Horticultural Society at The Kiosk.

Costs

  • $85 for CHS members
  • $105 for non-members
  • Includes all materials plus morning and afternoon kai

Become a Member of the CHS(external link) and receive up to 20% off all our courses and workshops.

Book

10.30am, Friday 19 August

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens for their monthly speaker series.

August's speaker is Suzanne Pickford, President of the NZ Alpine Garden Society. Suzanne will talk about alpine plants.

  • $5 for CHS and Friends' members.
  • $10 for the general public.
  • Refreshments included.

Friends talks are hosted in the Kiosk - just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park, and near the children's play area. 

To get involved in volunteering in the Botanic Gardens, join the Friends' of the Botanic Gardens(external link).