Newstart Gardens grows organic-based produce that is delivered to people in need by the New Plymouth Foodbank. It is a community run by volunteers, a facility for education, and a primary location for Land Based Training. It is a great site for practical learning, and so is a ‘continual work-in-progress’. The gardens are owned by the SDA Church. Based 41 Saxton Road. (Taranaki Sustainable Backyards Trail #4)

Students and parent volunteers have transformed a previously barren area into a dynamic food forest consisting of 22 large fruiting trees, veggie beds, supported plants, chickens, and much more. The orchard project was implemented by the children, staff, and community in 2017 and more recently tamariki have learnt about and used cultural tikanga (protocol) for seed collection and cultivation. Based 1 Holloway Road, Ōmata (Taranaki Sustainable backyards Trail #11)

For the first time, Michael Mansvelt, designer of houses, landscapes and interiors, is inviting people to enter the Jungle during the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival. Publicist Virginia Winder talks to him about his New Plymouth nursery, where the jewel of the Jungle is a huge glasshouse packed with tropical gems, including rare plants. Based at 816 Carrington Road, New Plymouth (Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival #31)