A traditional Maori garden in Hamilton has won a commendation award for cultural excellence at the annual Parks Forum Awards in Australia.
Judges at the Australasian awards, held last month in Adelaide, noted the extensive work on Te Parapara garden capturing and recording the history of Maori in the region, and the commitment required to make the garden productive.
Hamilton City Council gardens manager Peter Sergel said Te Parapara was the first serious attempt to recreate a pre-European Maori garden.
"This award really recognises the achievement of the late Harry Puke, Wiremu Puke, the Te Parapara Garden Trust and all of their advisers," Mr Sergel said.
Hamilton's Te Parapara garden project began in 2003 and was formally opened in two stages, in December 2008 and in late 2010.