$20 for ‘world class gardens’: Hamilton Gardens sees its first paying customers

Thursday, 19 September 2024

Hamilton Gardens welcomed its first ever paying customers on Wednesday, and one Napier couple was simply chuffed that they ever had gotten away with free entry in the past.

David and Priska Wright, some of the first people in history to pay to see the Hamilton Enclosed Gardens, were more than happy to fork out $20 each for the privilege.

“It’s our second visit to the Gardens,” David said.

“We were here a year ago, and we were honestly really surprised you didn’t have to pay. So today we’re more than happy to pay, because it’s such a beautiful environment.”

Dave and Priska Wright presenting one of the first paid tickets for Hamilton Gardens.

Previously free for all visitors, the Hamilton Gardens now charges a $20 entry fee for out of towners. Hamilton residents still get in free with proof of address.

David and Priska hail from Napier, and said the Gardens were an incredible part of Hamilton. Their favourite features were the Katherine Mansfield garden and the Surrealist Garden.

“It’s just so world class. We’re very happy to pay.”

Catherine (left) and Glenn Holmes were the very first Hamiltonians to be let through with their shared My GardensPass.

Although paid entry is the new normal for those visiting from outside of Hamilton, it’s business as usual for Hamiltonians.

The first two Hamilton residents through the shiny new gates on Wednesday were Glenn and Catherine Holmes.

Glenn, who is the chair of Waibury Agricultural Investments, said he’s been involved with the creation of the Gallagher Visitor Centre from the beginning.

The Enclosed Gardens, including the Italian Renaissance Garden pictured here, are the only section of the Gardens that require paid entry. Everything else is still free.

“I became involved here to raise some funds for the Gardens starting in 2016. Part of the project was to raise some funds for this development,” Glenn said.

“I think it looks fabulous. It’s got a good feel to it. It’s a great entrance to what is behind, which is wonderful.”

He acknowledged that the $20 entry fee has faced some public scrutiny, but said he didn’t understand why.

The queues were forming long before 10am when entry was allowed.

The new reception desk, designed for streamlined entry, is made up of 69 layers of plywood, representing the banks of the Waikato river.

“I think we need to acknowledge that these gardens need to be maintained and it costs a lot of money to do that.

“And those who haven’t put anything into it, those outside the ratepayer area, should perhaps contribute.”

Glenn pointed out that more funds to maintain the Gardens can only be a good thing, and will help keep them expanding as they have done over the years.

Gardens director Lucy Ryan said all money made from ticket sales will go back into the Gardens. It’s about time the Gardens are acknowledged for what they're worth, she said.

“I think it speaks for itself that we’ve had, you know, half a million visitors in one year, and were named top 1% of things to do in the world, and 30,000 people have already signed up for their MyGardens Pass,” Ryan said.

“We are a world class garden, and we need to act like it.”