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It took thousands of hours and the help of several friends but a native masterpiece is finally finished.
Clyde Tukaiora Connell's Waiora - Life Giving Water exhibit is a feature of the Auckland Flower Show, which opens to the public today.
The display includes a waterfall and a cave and several native New Zealand plants including ferns, ponga, cabbage trees, nikau, rimu and puri.
And native fish feature in ponds and aquariums in the 12m by 12m exhibition, including inanga, kokopu and the redfin bully.
Although Mr Tukaiora Connell and his team from the Warkworth landscaping business Trees, Rock and Water were too late to have their work judged yesterday, they hope to win the People's Choice award.
Prizes yesterday went to exhibition gardens, courtyard gardens, Kiwi back gardens, planted borders, horticulture avenues, floral art and floral design, construction and lighting.
The show - at Alexandra Park Raceway in Epsom - has unofficially replaced the Ellerslie International Flower Show, which was moved to Christchurch this year.
Experts will give lectures on subjects including growing orchids, roses, organic gardening and edible gardens.
NZ Gardener editor Lynda Hallinan said the show would be well received by gardening and floral fans.
"The Auckland Flower Show has well and truly met the standard as a showcase of creativity and new and interesting plants.
"It's going to be a great show."
