Now Reading: A Unified Vision – Documenting the Te Puke Coast Lions Garden Ramble 2025
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A Unified Vision – Documenting the Te Puke Coast Lions Garden Ramble 2025
A Unified Vision – Documenting the Te Puke Coast Lions Garden Ramble 2025
The Te Puke Coast Lions Garden Ramble 2025 has concluded — another successful year for this vital local fundraiser. Beyond the beauty of the gardens, the weekend showed how Vector Group Charitable Trust and its initiatives work together: digital storytelling, local enterprise, and food security, all supporting a stronger Te Puke community. We documented the Ramble in full so its impact reaches far beyond the three-day event.
The Ramble ran Friday through Sunday, opening a curated selection of the Bay of Plenty’s finest private gardens to the public. Each space reflected its owner’s passion, skill, and connection to the land.
The gardens: a tapestry of local horticulture
Visitors explored dramatically different landscapes across the region’s microclimates. One unforgettable stop was the Coastal Sanctuary — a sprawling native restoration project with mature pōhutukawa, boardwalks through regenerating mānuka, and endemic species. It was a resilient, low-maintenance example of coastal landscaping in harmony with the environment.
In contrast, the Artisan’s Potager captivated visitors interested in productivity and design — a working kitchen garden with the formality of a French parterre. Heirloom vegetables, fragrant herbs, and flowers for cutting sat alongside trained espalier fruit trees. The garden embodied kai resilience: food production that is practical and beautiful.
The Tropical Escape offered another highlight — a lush inland microclimate with palms, bromeliads, and unusual flowering plants. Layered foliage and water features created dense, colourful contrast to typical Bay of Plenty horticulture.
Ramble highlights and impact
From serene private retreats to expansive rural landscapes, each garden had its own charm and story. Along the way, guests enjoyed food trucks, raffles, stalls, and a vintage vehicle display — including local floristry legend Murray demonstrating posies from everyday garden flowers.
All proceeds supported the Te Puke community — a chance to enjoy breathtaking gardens while giving back.
Tickets were $45 for all three days and included access to all 17 gardens.
The 17 gardens
The Ramble showcased 17 distinct spaces — from intimate urban retreats to country estates — offering inspiration for every kind of gardener.
| Garden | Description |
|---|---|
| Garden 1 — The Coastal Retreat | Serene, native-focused garden with salt-tolerant plantings and ocean views. |
| Garden 2 — The Orchid Conservatory | Prize-winning orchids and rare tropical foliage in a glasshouse. |
| Garden 3 — The Vintage Homestead | Formal rose beds, specimen trees, and an English-style lawn. |
| Garden 4 — The Water Feature Haven | Reflective ponds, waterfalls, and Japanese-inspired bridges. |
| Garden 5 — The Permaculture Paradise | Productive edible garden focused on soil health, companions, and food resilience. |
| Garden 6 — The Sculptural Sanctuary | Mature trees, dense shrubbery, and contemporary outdoor art. |
| Garden 7 — The Japanese Zen | Gravel garden with moss, stones, and cloud-pruned hedging. |
| Garden 8 — The Collector’s Corner | Rare bromeliads, succulents, and cacti in a sunny courtyard. |
| Garden 9 — The Rural Landscape | Country garden embracing farmland with vistas and grand pathways. |
| Garden 10 — The Cottage Charm | Colourful perennials, climbing roses, and rustic fences. |
| Garden 11 — The Modern Minimalist | Clean lines, architectural plants, and low-maintenance hardscaping. |
| Garden 12 — The Tropical Escape | Palms, heliconias, and layered foliage in a humid microclimate. |
| Garden 13 — The Edible Abundance | High-yield market garden and intensive vegetable production. |
| Garden 14 — The Terraced Treasure | Hillside dry-stack walls, diverse plantings, and outdoor rooms with views. |
| Garden 15 — The Sensory Garden | Plants chosen for texture, fragrance, and sound. |
| Garden 16 — The Espalier Masterpiece | Trained fruit trees and manicured hedges. |
| Garden 17 — The Family Fun Garden | Play areas, berry patches, and easy-to-grow vegetables for all ages. |
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Our commitment: full coverage by the Trust collective
Comprehensive documentation was provided by Vector Group Charitable Trust. A collaborative team from Troppo, Te Puke Digital, Te Puke Today on Kiwifruit Capital, Grow Te Puke, and kai resilience work was on site from Friday morning through Sunday evening — capturing atmosphere and garden detail through photography and high-definition video.
This project showed what our combined resources can do. Professional visual assets preserve the spirit of the Ramble and support the Te Puke Coast Lions Club’s future fundraising and promotion — turning a three-day event into a lasting community asset. We are proud to help amplify this wonderful initiative.
A heartfelt thank you to sponsors
Deep gratitude to the generous sponsors whose support made the Ramble a resounding success. Their contribution was instrumental — we encourage everyone to support them in return. Events like this show Te Puke working together for local charity.
Honouring talented gardeners
Sincere thanks to the dedicated gardeners who planned and perfected their beautiful spaces. Over three days, guests enjoyed a wide, diverse selection of gardens — whether novices or seasoned enthusiasts, there was something for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by.
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