Events at the Botanic Gardens

You are invited to join a number of events throughout the year at the New Zealand World Peace Bell located in the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Celebrate, commemorate and have a go at ringing the bell.

Annual events

The World Peace Bell Association(external link) organises all of the above ceremonies with the exception of UN Holocaust Memorial Day, Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembrance and Joya-no-kane 108 Bells.

Sometimes new events are added so please check back for commemorations of interest.

Find out more about the New Zealand World Peace Bell.

Calling all parents, grandparents and caregivers! Bring your preschool-aged tamariki into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to enjoy a simple craft or plant-based activity with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.

Stories, toys and colouring-in are available too.

• All welcome - no booking needed (caregiver supervision is required).
• Tea and coffee are provided.
• Gold coin koha entry
• Runs during school term-time.

Enjoy gardening and nature-based activities with your preschooler.

More information is available on the Canterbury Horticultural Society Facebook page(external link).

Envirokids is a chance to connect kiwi kids to our environmental community and it's free! 

Every Saturday, the Envirohub(external link) will have activities for kids inspired by the mahi (work) of different organisations who work with the environment. Activities available between 10am-3pm every Saturday (even in the holidays!).

• 10am to 3pm every Saturday at the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.
• Children that come regularly can record their learning in a special passbook available once they attend their second event.
• EnviroKids is also an accredited Children's University learning destination so stamps are available for participating children's passports.

Find out more information about EnviroKids(external link) or keep up to date on the EnviroKids Facebook(external link). 

• An opportunity to join an on-going conversation or have a one on one chat.
• Free, no bookings required.
• Drop into the Kiosk anytime between 10.30am and 1pm in the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.

Find more information about Environmental Chat(external link).

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens volunteer guides for free guided walks at the Botanic Gardens (November to April) and Mona Vale Gardens (year-round). Pick and choose from a wonderful selection of topics or come along to all of them for a dose of exercise, beautiful displays, and education rolled into one.

See the walk schedule.

Botanic Gardens guided walks

• October to April
• 1.30pm daily lasting 45 to 90 minutes.
• Meet at the Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Mona Vale guided walks

• Selected dates throughout the year.
• 1.30pm, lasting approx. 90 minutes.
• Meet by the Mona Vale rose garden.

If you have any queries about guided walks at Mona Vale or the Botanic Gardens, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com

A Hidden History Trail for the whole family!

Go on a history hunt with the fictional Paul family and discover what they have collected as reminders of Te Māra Huaota o Waipapa Christchurch Botanic Gardens over the last 160 years.

Grab a free map from the Visitor Centre or Kiosk. The trail runs 10am to 4pm daily through the school holidays.

Tips!

• It's best to do the trail in order from site 1 as you follow the family through time, but it’s not essential.
• If you don’t have time to visit all the clues, you can see all of the treasures in the Visitor Centre exhibition.

Ka mua, ka muri. The past informs our future.

Find out more on the Botanic Gardens Facebook page(external link).

To get involved in volunteering in the Botanic Gardens, join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens(external link).

Join Lisa Williams, owner of RhodoDirect, who will share her insights as to why, in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to find a diverse selection of rhododendrons in plant nurseries. Lisa will also talk about the conservation projects RhodoDirect have started in Canterbury and elsewhere, and why propagation is so important in this industry.

Attendees will come away with practical tips for growing healthy, beautiful rhododendrons in the home garden.

RhodoDirect(external link) is a plant nursery dedicated to helping people cultivate healthy and vibrant rhododendrons. 

• Meet at the Kiosk, near the children's play area in the Botanic Gardens.
• $5 for Friends and CHS members, $10 general sale.
• Afternoon tea provided.

Hosted by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens.(external link)