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A Database of New Zealand Gardens – A New Initiative of the Institute

Background
In October 1998, approximately 70 keen gardeners, horticultural professionals and garden administrators assembled in Dunedin to attend a three day seminar on "The Business of Gardens in the Future". This conference covered various topics to do with eveloping/enhancing our gardens for the purpose of being open to the Public. It was workshop based, with a highly interactive format so that all those present could share their thoughts and ideas with each other. It was also fortunate to have as its special guest, Christopher Brickell, an internationally leading horticulturist, botanist and recently retired Director General of the UK based Royal Horticultural Society.

An enthusiastic atmosphere was generated as the workshops progressed, this steadily grew, and towards the end a sense of expectation and excitement developed – something which the organisers had not quite expected. The last session, where the findings of the individual workshops were collated, soon developed into a discussion on the lack of a national body able to represent the interests of those attending. Chris Brickell, who could see the overall direction of the discussion, helped steer it towards a constructive end. Eventually a motion was put to the group to set up an investigative committee whose mandate was to:

"Investigate the feasibility of setting up a national organisation to represent the interests of garden owners"

Mick Reece, Liz Morrow, Alan Jellyman, John Wills and myself were elected by the group for this purpose, and the concept was born.

Interlude
Working via fax, email, phone calls and meeting when resources would allow, this group moved steadily down its assigned path. Determined not to be too tied up with details, the investigative committee looked into the general purposes of a possible organisation, its funding, its direction and aims, and its membership.

At this time the investigative committee was made aware of an initiative of the New Zealand Tourism Board to establish a network of floral and garden businesses to develop a tourism focused promotion strategy for the industry in New Zealand. The committee was fortunate to have the assistance of Debra Simes, an experienced tourism professional, whose involvement in this facet of the industry included the co-ordination of the Dunedin Rhododendron Festival. Along with Mick Reece and Liz Morrow, these three attended the first meetings of the new "New Zealand Garden and Floral Marketing Group" in an attempt to foster an alliance with the tourism sector.

What soon became evident to those present at these meetings, was the lack of a credible information product for the tourism industry - something which was needed for the promotion of gardens in New Zealand. This is where our investigative committee saw the benefit of a national organisation to provide the data to the tourism sector, who would then do what they did best – promote, attract and guide visitors to this Country’s unique collection of gardens. Needless to say, the New Zealand Tourism Board was excited at the prospect.

Several meetings ensued, and the concept of a database of gardens (and plant collections) steadily grew. However, there still needed to be a "Garden Association of New Zealand" to focus in this role, and the investigative committee were determined that there now existed a real need for such a body. It seemed that something would need to happen soon to take advantage of the direction being chartered by the Tourism Board’s "New Zealand Garden and Floral Marketing Group".

Proposal
We were initially so focused on establishing a new body, but resource constraints, the lack of time, and the risk of losing opportunities by setting in place a protracted programme of fund raising and seeking membership, convinced us that an approach to the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, as the only national horticultural body, was essential.

The investigative committee contacted the Institute’s Chairman, Ron Flook, to see if the Institute would consider our now evolved concept – the development of a Garden Database. We felt that whilst there were details to be worked out, the overall thrust of the proposal fitted well with aim of the Institute – the promotion of horticulture. Ron was very positive, and decided that it was worth bringing to the attention of the Institute’s Executive. This was done over several weeks of correspondence, and finally, at the AGM of the Institute in Wellington, a motion was adopted:

"The RNZIH endorse the idea of forming a database of gardens"

So what is proposed?

1. That a database of quality gardens be established by the Institute, which will contain a variety of objective information on member’s (and non member’s) gardens such as size, access, opening times, garden contents, collections of interest, catering facilities etc.
   
   
2. That the information on the database be true and correct, verified and endorsed by the reputation and credibility of the Institute.
   
   
3. That participating gardens pay administration costs to have this information stored in the database.
   
   
4. That this database then be made available, as a product, to the tourism sector for the purposes of garden promotion (both nationally and internationally) and for the setting up of specialist and general garden touring parties.

One of the significant advantages recognised by the Institute’s Executive was that this initiative would allow it to influence a much wider range of gardeners than its current membership, and of course, that it would significantly promote horticulture in an underdeveloped sector of the profession. This is an initiative that will assist the Institute in progressing successfully into the new millennium.

The Future
Where to from here? Well, the Executive now requires input from members. We would like to know if you support such a concept. We would like to hear from any members interested in assisting in the development of a database, and we would also like to hear from members who would be interested in registering their garden on the database. We intend to develop a partnership with the New Zealand Garden and Floral Marketing Group, and to launch the initiative nationally, so that we include all gardeners in this exciting development. If you wish to participate or comment, please make contact with the Institutes office c/o The Administration Officer, RNZIH, P.O. Box 12, Lincoln University, Canterbury, or alternatively email the Institute at: office@rnzih.org.nz. We look forward to your participation in this project. We need your backing and support if this is to succeed. May this be a fine feather in the Institute’s distinguished and long established cap!

Reproduced from an article by Jayson Kelly in the Newsletter of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture 2001, No. 4, December, pp. 3-4.

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