National Shows 2009
North Island National
Hosted by The Hamilton Dahlia Society
at Hamilton Gardens, Cobham Drive, Hamilton
Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th February 2009
What a vibrant city Hamilton is. Council gardens and parks are all keptin immaculate condition and are always colourful Hamilton Lake grounds provide a large green area, where hundreds of folk can be seen strolling around with families, feeding the ducks, swans and other birds or maybe just relaxing and watching the yachts on the lake
The University boasts magnificent grounds. A performing arts centre second to none hosts : stage to musicals and everything in between. Many young people and not so young students all contribute to a kaliedoscope of colourful dress and culture. This is reflected in the number of restaurants, bars and cultural events both large and small staged in the city. A shoppers Paradise! Summer Festival is a wonderful extravaganza backed by the City council and many other organisations for the community benefit.
Only a short distance from the city stands the Maungatautari in its entire spendour. Maungatautari Ecological Trust was formed to establish and manage the Island. A completely enclosed predator proof fenced area has within it Kiwi that are thriving Many native birds that are endangered are beginning to call this haven home and are reproducing. Lions Clubs have ensured that a look-out tower has been built to enable a bush canopy to be viewed.
Hamilton Zoo encompasses 25 Hectares and is home to over 400 native animals. A wildlife sanctuary renowned for its generous habitats and wher paved pathways and boardwalks make it ideal for family visits.
Time spent strolling around 58 hectared of flat to very gently rolling terrain which make up the Hailton Gardens is truly an experience. Magnificent theme gardens planted with special species from different countries of origin. Sculptures and other art forms have been carefully selected to enhance them. Approxiamtely 2,000 events are held within the Gardens annually. The National Dahlia Show is being staged within the bounds of these beautiful gardens with no extra cost or travel required -enjoy!
South Island National
Hosted by The Dunedin Dahlia Circle
at Forbury Park Raceway,Victoria Road, Dunedin
Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd February 2009
Dunedin,New Zealand's oldest city, a university city of Scottish heritage, possesses a uniques combination of cultural riches, fine architecture, and world famous wildlife reserves
Situated on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, Dunedin has a population of around 125,00 and is the main centre of Otago, a region recognised for its spectacular scenery.
The sheer physical beauty of Dunedin, dramatic bush -covered hills and valleys at the head of a long natural harbour attracted Maori sttlers to the site over four centuries ago. Then in 1848,Scottish migrants established a town here, gicving it the ancient name of Edinburgh.
Of all the New Zealand cities, Dunedin can boast the largest concentration of Victorian and Edwardian buildings. This is mainly due to its rapid growth before and just after the turn of the century and its slower growth rate since.
Settled largely by the Scottish immigrants under the Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland in 1848, Dunedin was slow to prosper initially. It was not until the discovery in Central Otago in the 1860's that a city the size and consequence you see today began to grow. And then at a pace which several decades later, saw it rise to become the coutry;s leading commercial and industrial centre Trace the roots of new Zealand's biggest manufacturers, importers, commercial and transport forms today and you will find many had their origins in Dunedin
Dunedin is also New Zealand's first University City, with educational buildings and traditions that are the envy of the country. Fortuitously, the mid to late Victorian period of Dunedin's growth and prosperitycoincided with an exciting era in the history of architecture and has helped reinforce the settler's aspirations for Dunedin as the " Edinburgh of the South".
