FLORA FEST

20/11/2025

We were absolutely thrilled with the amazing floral exhibits from our local Waiuku business and service providers, showcasing what they do! Thank you so much to all of you who took part. We've had a lot of lovely feedback from event visitors.

Event visitors were encouraged to submit a 'People's Choice' vote for their favourite exhibit/s (SO hard to choose, right?!), with the winner awarded a voucher, sponsored by Waiuku Business and Development Association, to be spent at participating local businesses.

The votes have been tallied, and we're delighted to share the results with you:
🥇First place winner: Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku
🥈Second place: Waiuku Volunteer Fire Brigade
🥉Third place (joint): CHT Care Homes Waiuku, and Waiuku and Districts Combined Churches/St Andrews Centre

See the photos for a glimpse at the wonderful exhibits!

Exhibitor list:

1. Scott's Steelworkz Ltd
2. Leafy Hollow Lavender (aka Leafy Hollow Botanicals)
3. Waiuku Volunteer Fire Brigade
4. Waiuku Toy Library
5. Macca's Industry Driver Training
6. Rose Scents
7. Waiuku and Districts Combined Churches/St Andrews Centre
8. Waiuku Primary School
9. Waiuku Craniosacral Therapy
10. St Anthony's Catholic Church, Waiuku
11. Baker's Shoes & More
12. Barfoot & Thompson Waiuku (plus some detail shots)
13. CHT Care Homes Waiuku
14. Halo Hair
15. The Goodness Grocer
16. Café Queen
17. Pollok Arts (plus a detail shot)
18. Waiuku Family Support Network
19. Whānau Āwhina Plunket Franklin

17/11/2025

What a wonderful day two to wrap up Flora Fest and Rose Show 2025 on Saturday 15 November! Somewhat inclement weather in the early morning didn't last and it was fabulous to welcome hundreds more people to the event (some for a second time!) to enjoy the roses, art, mural painting, floral exhibits, botanical workshops with Leafy Hollow Lavender and K. Chase Artist Beautiful Beings and Botanicals, boutique market stalls, homemade and home-baked sandwiches and cakes, music from the fabulous folk duo Quercus, and a surprise flashmob perfomance from the UkuPella: Ladies Acapella Group Waiuku.

With the help of our town manager, Vanessa Newman, of the Waiuku Business and Development Association, we announced the Kids' Art winners (prizes donated by Waiuku Mitre 10 and Mitre 10 MEGA Pukekohe, drew the Flora Fest and Franklin District Rose Society raffle prizes (happy winners all now located!). 'The Name the Teddies' winners were drawn (winnning names > male: 'Barnaby', female: 'Flora') and the teddies have gone to their new homes. Yesterday, we tallied the people's choice votes for the floral art exhibits and the winners have been informed - we'll share a separate post for that.

Thank you to everyone who came to Flora Fest and Rose Show 2025, and the sponsors, supporters, volunteers, market stall holders, musicians, and our hosts Waiuku and Districts Combined Churches/St Andrews Centre, who helped make the event a success. We literally cannot do it without you!

We hope to see you again next year. Let us know in the comments what you enjoyed the most!

🌹

14/11/2025

Wow! What a wonderful day one of Flora Fest & Rose Show 2025!

Hundreds of people came through the doors to enjoy:

🌷Beautiful floral exhibits from our local business and service provider community (seriously, how do you pick a favourite??), and the Pukekohe Floral Art Club
🌹A stunning collection of roses and flowers in the Rose Show
🎤Fantastic, engaging and knowledgeable speakers
🎨Beautiful artwork
🌻Wonderful boutique stalls selling everything from plants, to roses and fresh potpurri, honey and lemon cordial, gorgeous bird feeders and garden art, pottery, linens and more
All housed in the lovely Waiuku and Districts Combined Churches/St Andrews Centre. And all proceeds going to Waiuku Family Support Network.

We're doing it all again tomorrow (Saturday, 15 November 2025), from 10-4PM.

Additionally, we have workshops: The Art of Natural Perfumery, with Pauline Livesey of Leafy Hollow Botanicals, and Magnolia Magic Ink and Water Colour class with artist, Kathy Chase. The Kids' Art, raffle prizes and people's choice winner of the floral exhibits will be announced. There's a fabulous mural to be painted. And Quercus will be serenading us with their special folk music.

Come on down and immerse yourself in all the gorgeousness!

14/11/2025

🍞☕First up tonight, another appreciation shout out to the awesome folk at New World Waiuku, who, in addition to a lovely raffle prize, donated food - including tea, milk, bread, butter, salad and all the fixings for ham and cheese, egg mayo, and salad sandwiches for Flora Fest 2025. Thank you!

12/11/2025

🌷🌹Waiuku Flora Fest & Rose Show starts tomorrow! 14 and 15 November 2025, Waiuku and Districts Combined Churches/St Andrews Centre, 85 Queen Street, Waiuku 2123. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM both days. Rose Show opens to the public at 12 noon on Friday, once judging is finished.
Check out the email for details of what's on: https://mailchi.mp/b4f899b0061e/edm-flora-fest-2025-cta-1

We can't wait to see you there!

11/11/2025

🌹🌹The very popular Franklin District Rose Society Annual Show is a cornerstone of the Flora Fest Waiuku event. In 2025, the society celebrates its 60th anniversary and the 59th annual show.

The show draws entries from across the Franklin district. And did you know it is open to anyone, not just members? There are various categories available and not just limited to roses. Flowers, foliage, or even a basket of veggies are welcome too. So why not give it a go? There's still time to enter!

Anyone interesting in submitting an entry, in any category, can contact Debbie Turner, Franklin Rose Society president and show secretary, via phone (027 8111 127) or email ([email protected]) for a schedule with all the show entry requirements, and/or to confirm your entry.

For this year’s show, entries must be made by Thursday 13 November 2025 at 8.00PM at the latest.

Staging: entrants’ roses must be on the show bench inside St Andrews Centre by 9.45 AM on Friday, 14 November 2025 (staging window is 7.00 AM – 9.45 AM).

Judging: starts at 10.00 AM on Friday and concludes at 11.30 AM.

The rose show opens to the public at 12 noon, after judging. The society will be selling 2026 Rose Society calendars and running raffles during the event.

Membership: calling all rose enthusiasts – Franklin Rose Society welcomes new members! Anyone looking to join can sign up at the event.

Just a few days to go. We look forward to seeing you at Flora Fest & Rose Show 2025!

09/11/2025

Tonight, we're giving a huge shout out to the awesome folk at our local New World Waiuku. Jeremy, Ami and the team have stepped up to the plate with food donations for the refreshment station, our lovely team t-shirts, and a hamper for the raffle. Thank you, New World Waiuku - we appreciate you and your generosity!

08/11/2025

We're just a few days out from this year's Flora Fest and Rose Show - will we see you there?

📰Read our latest newsletter for more details about what to expect: https://mailchi.mp/b4f899b0061e/edm-flora-fest-2025-cta-1

KEY DETAILS:
🗓Date & Time: Friday 14 and Saturday 15 November 2025, 10AM - 4PM.
📍Venue: St Andrews Centre, 85 Queen Street, Waiuku 2123
✨Featuring: Franklin Rose Society Annual Show (from 12PM Fri, post judging), community floral displays, Kids' Art comp, botanical workshops, boutique market stalls, bring & buy, and homemade refreshments.
🎤Key speakers: We're delighted to have horticultural stars Lynda Hallinan and Jack Hobbs, and renowned lepidopterist (that’s a butterfly and moth expert), Jacqui Knight, who is the secretary of the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, joining us on the Friday.
🎨🌷Workshops: The Art of Natural Perfumery with Pauline Livesey (Leafy Hollow Botanicals), and Magnolia Magic Ink and Watercolour workshop with Kathy Chase
📒Notes: Koha entry for rose show, markets, & exhibits; speakers $10 (for one, or all three); $45 for each workshop. Bring cash for raffles, refreshments etc. Fundraising for Waiuku Family Support Network.
❓Enquiries: [email protected]

07/11/2025

Tonight a big thank you and shout out to .nz, who are great supporters of Flora Fest. Darryl and his team sponsor the Kids' Art worksheets. They also print our posters, flyers, certificates and various other items as needed. Thanks, GoGraphics - we appreciate you!

GoGraphics specialises in providing full in-house production facilities from concept design to printing. Based on Bowen Street in Waiuku, GoGraphics is your one-stop-shop for Design | print | Sign. See:https://www.facebook.com/gographics.nz/

06/11/2025

A big thank you and shout out to the lovely folk at Mitre 10 New Zealand (Pukekohe branch) and Mitre 10 who have donated prizes for Flora Fest 2025's Kids' Art competition. We appreciate you!

01/11/2025

We still have spots available for the Sensory Art of Natural Perfumery workshop. Why not treat yourself (and invite a friend too)? Book your place now!

🌼🌷🌹Flora Fest 2025 Workshop: The Sensory Art of Natural Perfumery, with Pauline Livesey Leafy Hollow Botanicals | Saturday 15 November, 10.30AM - 12.30PM 🌹🌹💐
This 2-hour workshop will cover:
• A brief history of perfumery, from the ancient Egyptians to the present day
• Methods used to capture the fragrant essence from plants
• Fragrance families – choose one to suit your personality
• Mixology - blend different notes from essential oils to create your individual perfume.

Spaces are limited, book your spot today! https://tinyurl.com/3v6vya6k

01/11/2025

We still have places available for the Magnolia Magic art class - book your spot now!

🎨👩‍🎨Flora Fest 2025 Workshop #2, Saturday 15 November, 1.30PM - 3.30PM: Magnolia Magic – Ink Pen and Watercolour Workshop 👨‍🎨🖌✒️

Nurture your inner artist with artist, Kathy Chase. Kathy will guide you step by step:
• Paint a stunning magnolia branch.
• Learn simple watercolours and ink pen techniques.
• All materials are supplied.

Don't worry, you don't need to be a drawing expert! Even if you haven't picked up a paintbrush since school, simply give it a go and have fun.

Spaces are limited - book your spot today: https://tinyurl.com/3v6vya6k