Taranaki turned on perfect weather over the weekend as visitors enjoyed the opening of Sustainable Trails 2025, with vibrant gardens, inspiring workshops and buzzing conversations about sustainability across the region. From regenerating backyard plots to discovering the hidden power of plants, the first weekend showcased the best of local creativity and community connection.

Hundreds of visitors explored backyards, school gardens and feature events, with many leaving motivated to put new ideas into practice.

“I feel pretty fantastic about taking on what has been established [in my garden] and having a go at some other ideas,” said one visitor at the Humming Vege Gardens workshop with Kath Irvine.

“Being surrounded by the plants and listening to the gardener first-hand is a way better way for me to assimilate ideas and information as opposed to books or websites… really inspiring and motivating to see other people’s passion,” shared another attendee from Taranaki.

Visitors from across the motu described the experience as “inspiring,” “friendly,” and “a beautiful local example of what’s possible in small spaces.”

Upcoming Highlights:

The Trails continue this week with another exciting line up of workshops, hands-on experiences and free community events. Here are a few of our picks for around the region.

Thursday 6 November - Spotlight on East Taranaki - Stratford & Hawera

• Garden Beds from Pallets, Planning your Garden, Composting & Lasagne Beds, Avon Primary School (Stratford)
• Edible Weeds, Naturally Nell’s (Stratford)
• Seed Snails for Easy Seedlings, St Mary’s Community Garden (Hāwera) (Free)
• Kōia Gardening for Well-being, St John’s Community Garden (Waitara) (Free)

Friday 7 November

• He Rongoā, He Oranga, Green School (Ōākura)
• Gathering Native Seeds & Seedlings, Waitōriki School (Inglewood)

Saturday 8 November

• Growing & Using Culinary Herbs (free) and Refreshing Herbal & Fruit Drinks, Blue Petal Botanicals (Korito)
• Herbs for Mental Health (koha) (New Plymouth)
• Beginner Gardener, Greenbridge (Ōmata)

Sunday 9 November

• Lil Boutique Bus Tour North - Depart from The Envirohub (New Plymouth)
• Small-scale Mealworm Farming, Little Insect Farm (Eltham)
• Urban Gardening & Sustainability, Blue Cypress Haven (free) (Waitara)
• Sustainable Gifting Ideas, Green School (koha) (Ōākura)

Countdown to Sustainable Farms & Builds - Starting 10 November

From Monday 10th November, attention turns to the Sustainable Farms and Builds events, beginning with:

Electrify My Farm - 12.30 - 2.30pm and Electrify My Whare - 5.30 - 8pm. Learn how electrification can reduce costs and emissions for homes and farms with renowned entrepreneur Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa alongside a line-up of local experts.

Explore More!The $12 Backyard Bundle Card gives access to five backyards or school gardens for the price of four (standard entry $3 cash) and includes a free packet of seeds.

Trail Booklets and Bundle Cards, available from:

- New Plymouth: Trails Hub (EnviroHub, Brooklands), Crazy Pumpkin (CBD & Waiwhakaiho),

- Coastal & North: Dawn Café (Ōākura), Binn Inn (Waitara)

- East Taranaki: Crazy Pumpkin (Stratford)

- South Taranaki: Landscape Essentials and The Gathering Café (Hāwera)

Stay Connected! Visit Taranaki Sustainable Trails website (www.sustainablebackyards.org.nz) for event details, tickets and updates, or follow on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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