Live Day | Flora & Fauna

It's springtime at Howick Historical Village and the gardens are full of life! Come along this Live Day to learn more about the natural world - plants, insects and our feathered friends.

Explore the heritage gardens on a nature trail created by our Heritage Gardener, Luke Southern. Learn all about Aotearoa’s unique native flora and introduced species as well as animals and our agricultural past.

Meet the Village beekeeper Sara Russ (a.k.a The Bee Lady) and get up close & personal with our buzzy garden pollinators in an observational hive at 1 pm. Feed the chooks, make a wildflower seed bomb or pot a sunflower from seed to enjoy its bright blooms this summer!

Step back in time - churn butter, make a beeswax candle, or try hand-crank sewing or rag rugging. Discover the art of bookbinding with members of the Association of Book Crafts. See the blacksmith at work in the forge and taste fresh baking, hot from the coal range in Puhi Nui Homestead. Visit the sweet shop filled with old-fashioned lollies and fudge!

With craft activities, outdoor games and performances - Morris dancing at 10:30 am & 11:30 am and bagpipe band at noon - there will be lots of fun for everyone! Have brunch or lunch at Homestead Café and make a day of it.

Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46. Children under 5, members & annual pass holders - free entry.