Media Release

Botanica enjoys a little Christmas nonsense

“Christmas is coming and what better opportunity for us to revert to childhood?” asks Council's Cemetery and Conservatory Manager, Helen Cairns.

“The team at Botanica has gone very silly this Christmas and is treating us all to a marvellous trip back in time to visit Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

“We’ve been propagating all year and now our lolly trees and sherbert bushes are just coming into fruit ready to share with all the big and little kids of Whangarei.

“There are all kinds of sweet treats in our magical garden with bubble activities, recipe cards and even some goodies for you to take home.

“We are inviting everyone along to have a go on Mr Wonka’s magical mixing machine or spot the Wangdoodle or the Vermicious Knid!

“There’s always lots to see at Botanica (1 First Avenue) and we’re open every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day from 9am to 4pm. The facility is wheelchair accessible and admission is free.”

ends

© Scoop Media

World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>