1409 days ago

Poll: Does Christchurch still deserve the title of the Garden City?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Christchurch is still flying the Garden City flag, but is it still backing it up?

Elizabeth Peacock certainly doesn’t think so.

A past president of the Canterbury Horticultural Society, Peacock tells Frank Film that the state of some of the planted spaces of Christchurch are a disgrace.

Andrew Rutledge, the present head of parks, defends the current approach.

“We’re heading into a much more naturalised phase with a bigger focus on indigenous planting,” he tells Frank Film. “They’re not gardens.”


This, according to Rutledge, is meeting resistance from those who are still after the “highly groomed lawn”.

“I would be ashamed to bring anyone to have a look,” she says. “A garden should be joyous!”

Read more here and tell us what you think in the comments below.

Does Christchurch still deserve the title of the Garden City?
  • 42.5% Yes
    42.5% Complete
  • 53.5% No
    53.5% Complete
  • 4% I'm not sure/something else (tell us in the comments)
    4% Complete
449 votes
More messages from your neighbours
22 hours ago

🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Do you think you know the answer?

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21 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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6 hours ago

Step by step for a great cause!

Kevin Hickman Retirement Village

Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!

Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.

Click read more to read the full story.

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