Love Where You Live - February 1st to 29th š„°
Love is in the air this month! Weāre not just talking about Valentineās Day... weāre talking about this monthās national campaign.
Our theme for February is all about finding ways to show your home and community a little extra love and care. Whether itās organising a street clean up, helping a neighbour tidy up their property, putting together a working bee, or installing a communal pÄtaka or library - there are countless ways to make our neighbourhoods more enjoyable for everyone.
Donāt forget to share the love! Let us know how youāre improving your neighbourhood this month by email or tag us online and include the following hashtag:
#NSNZlovewhereyoulive
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealandās 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 Zealandās best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Get Up, Get Involved, and Get Colourful!
Itās that time again when Taranaki gets ready to sparkle ā paintbrushes in hand, music in the air, and creativity bursting from every corner! Get Up Fest is back from March 2nd to 9th, and itās shaping up to be one of the most vibrant events on our calendar.
This isnāt your average art show. Get Up Festival is a celebration of community and creativity that transforms New Plymouth into a living, breathing gallery. Across venues in the CBD and at East End, artists will be painting murals each day on walls, bridges, and buildings ā turning our city into a giant open-air canvas. Thereāll be live music, a graffiti battle, an exhibition, and even a public āgive it a goā 30-metre wall, where everyoneās encouraged to pick up a brush or a can and add their mark.
Now, as you can imagine, a festival like this doesnāt just happen on its own ā it takes a great team of volunteers to help make it all flow smoothly. Thatās where you come in!
Weāre calling for volunteers from March 6th to 9th to join the team and be part of the action. There are plenty of roles to choose from ā some public-facing (like greeting visitors, or helping at events), and others behind-the-scenes (assisting artists, helping with setup and logistics, or making sure the spaces look welcoming and tidy).
If you enjoy working alongside creative people, some roles even involve supporting the artists directly ā helping them get set up, fetching supplies, or just being that friendly, steady hand as their masterpieces unfold. Itās an incredible chance to see the artistic process up close and feel part of something truly inspiring.
And hereās a bonus: if youāre looking to build your CV or gain experience in event management or public art projects, this is a fantastic opportunity. Youāll be part of a fun, supportive team, learn heaps along the way, and help deliver something that will live on in our city long after the paint dries.
If youāve volunteered at WOMAD New Zealand before or love being part of lively community events, this oneās right up your alley ā colourful, hands-on, and bursting with good energy. Youāll need to be able to transport yourself to venues, but trust me, the experience will be more than worth it.
Volunteering is what brings these kinds of events to life ā and helps our city shine. So, if youāre ready to roll up your sleeves and be part of a dynamic, creative, and joy-filled week, come join us and help deliver this incredible outdoor art experience.
Letās get up, get involved, and help paint the town ā literally!
To register your interest or find out more, contact:
Volunteering New Plymouth
Wendy at admin@vnp.nz phone 06 758 8986 or text 022 571 4228 and join this amazing event.
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