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Pukeiti

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Pukeiti is open all day, every day

Address: 2290 Carrington Road New Plymouth View on Google maps (external link)

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Encounter the mystery

Pukeiti's rhododendrons and other exotics create an explosion of colour amidst lush native rainforest.

Rhododendrons and exotic plants

Pukeiti hosts one of the world’s biggest and most diverse collections of rhododendrons and other exotics, creating an explosion of colour among lush, native rainforest and mountain streams.

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Image of Rhododendrons and exotic plants at Pukeiti

Rhododendrons and exotic plants

Pukeiti hosts one of the world’s biggest and most diverse collections of rhododendrons and other exotics, creating an explosion of colour among lush, native rainforest and mountain streams.

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Kids Treehouse Trail

The Kids Treehouse Trail is a free self-guided activity through the gardens using an activity satchel which can be collected from the Rainforest Centre (outside the Rainforest Eatery) any day of the week.

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Rainforest tracks

For thousands of years, Pukeiti was unspoiled virgin rainforest. Most of the rimu were removed in a decade during logging in the 1920s. Afterwards, some areas remained forested while others were used for pasture or pine plantations.

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Rainforest tracks

For thousands of years, Pukeiti was unspoiled virgin rainforest. Most of the rimu were removed in a decade during logging in the 1920s. Afterwards, some areas remained forested while others were used for pasture or pine plantations.

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The Rainforest Eatery

Rainforest Eatery

A vibrant eatery in the heart of Pukeiti with a focus on fresh and locally sourced ingredients and fantastic service.

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The Rainforest Centre

The Rainforest Centre sits at the entrance to Pukeiti and features a multi-media interpretation area, function space and direct access to covered areas housing the largest public display of vireya rhododendrons in the world.

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The Rainforest Centre image

The Rainforest Centre

The Rainforest Centre sits at the entrance to Pukeiti and features a multi-media interpretation area, function space and direct access to covered areas housing the largest public display of vireya rhododendrons in the world.

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Garden walks

Pukeiti offers a range of garden walks from 35 minutes to two hours. This includes the Rhododendron Stroll (35 minutes), and the Valley of the Giants Walk (50 minutes).

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Mobility vehicle service

For those who are less able to walk around the garden, a mobility vehicle service is available between 1 October and 31 March at 11am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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Mobility vehicle service

For those who are less able to walk around the garden, a mobility vehicle service is available between 1 October and 31 March at 11am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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Pīwakawaka Family Hut

Stay the night above the trees in the Pīwakawaka Family Hut, with panoramic views above the native rainforest and down to the coast this is a truly unique experience.

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Freedom Camping at Pukeiti

Freedom camping (in certified self-contained vehicles only) is permitted in the Pukeiti carpark

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Freedom Camping at Pukeiti

Freedom camping (in certified self-contained vehicles only) is permitted in the Pukeiti carpark

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Pukeiti waterwheel

The waterwheel

Pukeiti's iconic waterwheel is much more than just a pretty picture - it still makes an honest living, providing much of the supply to our water tanks.

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Plant Hunter's Station

Use our Plant Hunter’s Station to find out about the plants at Pukeiti. Our database includes all of the garden plants, as well as many New Zealand rainforest plants which occur naturally at Pukeiti.

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Plant Hunter's Station

Use our Plant Hunter’s Station to find out about the plants at Pukeiti. Our database includes all of the garden plants, as well as many New Zealand rainforest plants which occur naturally at Pukeiti.

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The Rainforest School

The Rainforest School is a study unit developed by the Taranaki Regional Council outlining the activities available for teachers and classes visiting Pukeiti.

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Pukeiti Fitness Trails

Take your training up a notch with the Pukeiti Fitness Trails - Ngā ara hauroa tinana.

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Pukeiti Fitness Trails

Pukeiti Fitness Trails

Take your training up a notch with the Pukeiti Fitness Trails - Ngā ara hauroa tinana.

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Memberships and certifications

Memberships and Environment

Pukeiti strives to offer visitors the best possible experience while ensuring the natural environment is protected and improved. We work with a range of organisations to achieve these goals, drawing on their specialist expertise, experience, expert assessment processes, networking opportunities and more.

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The History of Pukeiti

Pukeiti was founded by William Douglas Cook, who had a vision to create a vast natural garden of rhododendrons. With help from Russell Matthews, original owner and developer of Tūpare in New Plymouth, he found a bush block on Upper Carrington Road for sale in March 1950.

As Douglas walked through the 153.5-acre (65ha) block of bush, he was blown away by the filmy ferns and luscious landscape, as well as the views which included the surfbound coast, North Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu. He was also attracted to the clean and healthy looking rhododendrons which were still thriving despite being in an old and neglected garden. “One walk through is enough,” he said, and that night he located the owner and bought the property.

Cook donated the block to the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust and work soon started on developing the property. The official opening took place on Thursday 1 November 1951, when the gates were opened to visitors who walked from the shack right through to the summit along the bush track and partly formed road.

The physical ‘gut-busting’ work that people endured in Pukeiti’s early days were tempered by a ‘bush’ camaraderie, topped up with gallons of tea. Everyone shared the understanding that each task that was completed was one step further towards the realisation of a collective dream.

Today, thanks to hard work through the decades, Cook’s vision is a reality. This work set a strong foundation for efforts that continued through decades, resulting in a unique property known all over the world as a unique temperate rainforest garden.