New plantings in the Taihape town gardens have transformed the look of the town centre.
The plantings are New Zealand natives that have been brought in from the wild and are becoming part of the town and the neighbourhood.
The programme has been led by Rangitīkei District Council's parks and reserves team leader Athol Sanson and council is funding the project with the Taihape Community Board and the Keep Taihape Beautiful group.
Sanson said the idea was to bring plants already native to the Taihape area into town and construct gardens using them, starting at the northern or town clock corner of State Highway 1.
So far 10 varieties have been planned for eight gardens once the ground had been cleared.