New Zealand Garden - Harrogate, UK - Sister City Monuments on Waymarking.com

Harrogate has had sister city relationship with the New Zealand city of Wellington since the 1950s to commemorate 23 New Zealand airmen that were stationed in North Yorkshire during World War II and sadly lost their lives.

Twin Cities / Sister Cities: Wellington, New Zealand Address: New Zealand Garden Text: Welcome to the New Zealand Garden, Valley Gardens NEW ZEALAND GARDEN Originally Created - 1953 Restored and enhanced - 2010 The city of Wellington, New Zealand and Harrogate Borough Council have a sister city relationship established in the 1950s to honour the 23 New Zealand Airmen, stationed in North Yorkshire, who lost their lives during World War II and who are buried in Stonefall Cemetery. In the 1950s there were exchanges of native plants between Harrogate and Wellington. The area here was designated the New Zealand Garden and laid out with the new plant material which had arrived all the way from 'The Land of the Long White Cloud' on the other side of the world. Pride of place in the restored Gardens goes to an original wooden Maori pou (poe) kindly gifted by the City of wellington and its iwi partner Fort Nicholson Block Settlement Trust representing the interests of Te allawa, Ngali Tama, Ngali Ruanui and Taranaki. Plants originating in Aotearoa "The Land of the Long White Cloud". The climate of New Zealand's South Island is similar to that of Britain. Separated by the hot tropics which encircle the globe, different plants have evolved over time. This garden is planted as a 'harmonious collection' of native New Zealand (NZ) South Island flora. Plants have been grouped as they are found in nature so that the main plants in each group are seen with their familiar companions from the wild. The area groups are shown on the plan of the garden and include Forest Bush Margin, Beech Woodland Margin, Swamp and Creek Fringe, Sub Alpine Tussock, Alpine Herb Fields and a shelter belt. Maori Pou Carving The Maori were the earliest migrants to New Zealand. Carving is an important aspect of Maori culture. It was used in place of writing as a means of passing down history and tradition from generation to generation. We have been privileged to be given a Maori Pou (poe) by the local Wellington Maori iwi. This stands at the centre of the garden. Tree Sculptures Opposite the garden are three chainsaw sculptures of a Kiwi, a Marlin and a carved bench. The former trees were overgrown conifers that cast shade over the gardens. The rest of the board has details of the planting in the garden

Visit Instructions:
Please tell us about your visit to the monument. Also please provide another photo of the monument.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.