15 regional finalists for 2007 Gardener of Year

Press Release 24 September 2007

NZ Gardener announces 15 regional finalists for 2007 Gardener of the Year

From Maungaturoto to Riverton, NZ Gardener magazine has unearthed 15 unsung horticultural heroes in its inaugural search for the nation’s keenest gardener.

The 15 regional winners - in Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, Otago and Southland - are now in the running for a $10,000 prize package, including $5,000 to spend at Bunnings Warehouse.

The regional winners of this year’s NZ Gardener 2007 Gardener of the Year competition are a diverse bunch. They range from a super seed saver in Northland who has a passion for saving heritage seed varieties, to a retired minister in Waikato who has raised a staggering $52,000 for charity by growing and selling seedlings in his backyard, to an organic crusader in Marlborough who has been self-sufficient for more than 25-years.

NZ Gardener editor and chief judge Lynda Hallinan said it was almost impossible to choose a winner in some regions because all of the nominations were so worthy.

"We launched this competition to celebrate those unsung horticultural heroes who give tirelessly back to the community. We wanted a chance to profile all those modest gardeners who share their love for gardening at a local level but never put themselves forward for public accolades. That's why we asked local communities to make the nominations for us - we wanted to reward and recognise gardeners at the grassroots.

"In the days when people often claim not even to know their neighbours, I've been amazed at the number of nominations for 'the gardener next door' who brightens up the whole street, and those who willingly volunteer to spend their weekends slaving in community gardens across the country.

"It's been a privilege to profile the finalists to find out what inspires them to give back to the community, and to share their collective passion for all aspects of gardening,” said Lynda.

Each of the 15 regional winners receives a $1000 prize package and a fitting gardener’s trophy - a brand new stainless steel spade.

The supreme winner of the NZ Gardener 2007 Gardener of the Year title will be decided by a public vote. The 15 regional winners - and full voting instructions - feature in the October issue of NZ Gardener, on sale from Monday 24 September.

The public can now vote to name the supreme winner of the NZ Gardener of the Year. The supreme winner will scoop a $10,000 prize package including a luxury trip for two to the Ellerslie Flower Show in Auckland, $5,000 to spend at Bunnings Warehouse, $1,000 worth of Kiwigold plants, $500 worth of Tui garden products and an assortment of other garden gadgets, books and tools.

The regional winners are: Gail Aiken, Northland; Sue Crawshay, Auckland; Trevor Bennett, Waikato; Jo Dawkins, Bay of Plenty; Joan Coates, Gisborne; Jo Duff, Hawke’s Bay; Mark Christensen, Manawatu-Wanganui; Alec Hutchinson, Taranaki; Jean Gwatkin, Wellington; Jean Southward, Nelson; Margaret Peace, Marlborough; Helen Love, West Coast; Peggy Kelly, Cantebury; Fiona Eadie, Otago; Robert Guyton, Southland.

How to vote: Vote online at www.nzgardener.co.nz or write your name, address and the name of the regional finalist you would like to vote for on the back of an envelope and send to 2007 NZ Gardener of the Year, NZ Gardener, PO Box 6341, Wellesley St, Auckland. Voting closes at 5pm on October 31.

ENDS

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