Street and Garden Awards were set up over 70 years ago to encourage civic pride and acknowledge those who have contributed to maintaining the image of Christchurch as the Garden City by beautifying their streets and gardens.

Gardens in the below Community Board areas will be considered for Street and Garden Awards in 2026:

  • Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood
  • Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton
  • Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central
  • Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote
  • Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood

These awards are administered by the Christchurch Beautifying Association with the support of Christchurch City Council.

For further information, please contact the awards coordinator, Ron Andrew, at 03 332 8128, or visit christchurchbeautifyingassn.org.nz(external link).

There is no application process for the Christchurch Street and Garden Awards. Judges select award-winners by viewing all gardens citywide that are visible from the street.

Judging

16 January to 16 February 2026

Volunteer judges from the Christchurch Beautifying Association will visit 4,000 streets throughout Christchurch to select award-winning gardens city-wide.

Judges select award-winners by viewing all gardens that are visible from the street. Judges take into account community effort (50%), general appearance (30%) and contributing gardens (20%).

Winners announced

Early March 2026

Category winners of the Street and Garden Awards will be listed in the Star newspaper.

Award presentation

Early April 2026

Street and Garden Award presentation hosted by Christchurch Beautifying Association.

Winning streets will receive a plaque to be hung prominently in the street, and each gardener in the street will be presented with a certificate.

Judging

16 January to 16 February 2026

Volunteer judges from the Christchurch Beautifying Association will visit 4,000 streets throughout Christchurch to select award-winning gardens city-wide.

Judges select award-winners by viewing all gardens that are visible from the street. Judges take into account community effort (50%), general appearance (30%) and contributing gardens (20%).

Winners announced

Early March 2026

Category winners of the Street and Garden Awards will be listed in the Star newspaper.

Award presentation

Early April 2026

Street and Garden Award presentation hosted by Christchurch Beautifying Association.

Winning streets will receive a plaque to be hung prominently in the street, and each gardener in the street will be presented with a certificate.

Premier Street Awards

  • Premier long street (60 properties or more).
  • Premier short street (up to 59 properties).
  • Premier cul de sac.

Other award categories

  • Most attractive garden, selected from the premier streets.
  • Best street frontage planting.
  • Best all-year-round garden.
  • Living fences.
  • Environmental awards for churches, service stations, schools, factories, and commercial properties.
  • City 'Gateway' awards for the most attractive gardens (residential and commercial) in:
    • Memorial Avenue
    • Main South Road
    • Main North Road
    • Yaldhurst Road
    • Ferry Road