Pacific Rose Bowl Festival

23/11/2025

17/11/2025

As we wrap up another fantastic Pacific Rose Bowl Festival, we want to extend a sincere thank you to all the people and organisations who make this event possible each year.

To our Trustees — thank you for the time, energy, and passion you pour into this festival. It’s truly a labour of love, and your commitment keeps this special event thriving.

To the Hamilton Gardens gardening team — you continue to deliver a world-class standard. The Rogers Rose Garden looked absolutely stunning, and your skill and dedication create an unforgettable experience for every visitor.

To all our volunteers — thank you for giving up your time over the weekend to greet guests, answer questions, and keep everything running smoothly. Your enthusiasm and kindness make a huge difference.

To our funders — WEL Networks, Trust Waikato, and COGS — your support helps make this festival accessible and vibrant, and we are incredibly grateful.

To Strive Performing Arts — thank you for your excellent entertainment at the Teddy Bears' Picnic and for bringing such energy and joy to the festival atmosphere.

To Cloe’s Creationz — thank you for the beautiful decorations at the VIP Afternoon Tea. They added something really special to the event.

17/11/2025

What an incredible week celebrating the beauty, creativity, and passion behind the world of roses. A huge thank you to everyone who visited, voted, and supported this year’s show. We’re thrilled to announce the winners across all categories:

🏵️ City of Adelaide Trial Garden Award – Best Floribunda Rose
Bee Scene
Breeder: Kordes (Germany)
Entered by Mathews Nurseries

🌹 Rose Hils Perpetual Challenge Bowl – Best Hybrid Tea
Endless Summer
Breeder: Rob Somerfield (NZ)
Entered by Glenavon Roses

🎈 Rena Williams Trophy – Children’s Choice Award
Hokey Pokey
Breeder: Bob Mathews (NZ)
Entered by Mathews Nurseries

🌿 Gerard Williams Memorial Trophy – Best Shrub Rose
Boscobel
Breeder: Austin Roses (England)
Entered by Austin Roses

🌸 Peter Sergel Trophy – Best Climbing Rose
The Wedgewood
Breeder: Austin Roses (England)
Entered by Austin Roses

🌺 The Governor of Gifu Award – Most Fragrant Rose
Francis Meilland
Breeder: Meilland International (France)
Entered by Amore Roses

🏆 Sam McGredy Perpetual Challenge Award – Best NZ-Raised Rose
Centurion
Breeder: Rob Somerfield (NZ)
Entered by Glenavon Roses

🌟 The Sam McGredy Perpetual Challenge Trophy – NZ Rose of the Year
Centurion
Breeder: Rob Somerfield (NZ)
Entered by Glenavon Roses

Congratulations to all winners, breeders, and entrants — and a special thank you to our incredible volunteers, supporters, and the community who make this festival possible.

Here’s to another year of celebrating exceptional roses and the people who grow them. 🌹✨

08/11/2024

You can judge beautiful roses and enjoy yoga and a Teddy Bears Picnic at Rogers Rose Garden, Saturday 9th!

08/11/2024

We’re on this weekend 7-10 Nov 2024!

Hamilton Gardens Presents the Pacific Rose Bowl Festival November 7th -10th 2024 Hamiltons best entertainment for all ages Bring your friends, family, or a special date to the picturesque Hamilton Gardens this November for an unforgettable and action-packed four days of festivities at the stunning R...

12/11/2023

And what a wonderful day Sunday was, the perfect end to a run a of great weather for the Festival.! Hordes of people in the Rogers Rose Garden, families there to enjoy a picnic, the scents, and not forgetting the music by Darz Music and Tree Town Jazz. A fitting close to the 2023 Festival!

And so to the results from Sunday 13 November:

NZ Rose of the Year – Skyla Rose, Glen Avon Nurseries (No. 46)
Best NZ Bred Rose – Skyla Rose, Glen Avon Nurseries (No. 46)
Children’s Choice – Romanza Glitz & Glam, Amore Roses (No. 43)
Best Floribunda Rose – Centurion, Glen Avon Nurseries (No. 48)
Best Hybrid Tea Rose – Romanza Glitz & Glam, Amore Roses (No. 43)
Best Shrub Rose – Candy Eyes, Matthews Roses (No. 23)
Best Climbing Rose – Lilac Temptation, Matthews Roses (No. 62)
Most Fragrant Rose – Magnifiscent, Amore Roses (No. 45)

Many thanks to our funders WEL Energy Trust, Trust Waikato COGS, and the Hamilton City Council Events Fund. Not forgetting all the volunteers from Friends of Hamilton Gardens who distributed voting papers and answered all sorts of questions with a smile.

And lastly, a HUGE vote of thanks to everyone who voted: without your input we don't have a Rose of the Year, so thank you one and all.

And now to start planning next year's Festival!

11/11/2023

Yet another great day out: we have been very fortunate with the weather for the whole Festival. Lovely to see so many people bringing picnics to the gardens yesterday, and taking the time to vote for their favourite 5 roses. Great music from Te Kaiwaiata adding to the vibe of the day.

Voting closes at 1230 today, so if you have yet to vote there's still 2½ hours to go!

09/11/2023

Good Morning everyone: another one out of the box, promising a beautiful day for voting. Come down to the Rogers Rose Gardens and take part in the 21st Pacific Rose Bowl by voting for the New Zealand Rose of the Year

02/11/2023

One Week to go! The Marque goes up on Wednesday, then we have the first of two schools visiting us on Thursday, and the second on Friday.

Long range forecast is looking much like last year, so come on down to the Rogers Rose Gardens at Hamilton Gardens, and make YOUR vote count.

Voting open 10-6 Thursday-Saturday, 10-12:30 Sunday

30/10/2023

A little over 10 days to go: long range forecasts appear to be for fine weather with the odd shower - similar to last year. Be sure to come down to the Rogers rose Garden to cast your vote for the New Zealand Rose of the Year

26/10/2023

By this time in 14 days we will be nearing the close of play for day 1 of the Pacific Rose Bowl Festival: the long range forecast is for a fine day, with the odd shower in the early morning, followed by a fine afternoon.