Palmy New Zealand places to visit

[Tyrone]

I'm in the process of planning a trip to visit NZ in Autumn 2023 flying into Auckland. I want to see the palmy sites and also giant Kauri forest etc etc. We like bush walking and all stuff natural. I will never get sick of seeing Nikaus, so anywhere with a Nikau palm is good for me. I want to go to Great Barrier Island. Unspoilt natural environments are big on my wish list. We will spend most of our time in the north island, but I do want to venture down into the South Island for a bit to take a look at where the South Island nikaus grow. Ive never been to NZ so was wondering if the NZ palm talkers and anyone else who knows can point me in the right direction to see the sights. Also would love to see some Botanic Gardens too. 

What do you guys reckon?

[richnorm]

Paloma Gardens in Whanganui would be my favourite in NZ.  Pukekura Park in New Plymouth is pretty special too.  Totara Waters in Auckland is amazing and the botanic gardens here are well worth a look.  Whangarei Quarry gardens are a great stop if heading North.  Landsendt in West Auckland (just over the road from me) is great and handy for hikes in the Waitakere Ranges.   I'd be happy to show you the Auckland sights and take you tramping.  In the South both Dunedin and Christchurch have fine botanic gardens but that's covering a lot of ground.  You can get to the Chatham Island quite easily by small plane....

[PalmCode]

The Warkworth museums, Kauri trail in north Auckland is great if you want to see some 800 year old Kauri. plenty of Nikau there and wenderholm close by is really nice for viewing nikau. I'm happy to show some other great habitat spots for tramping, ect, if you get to that area. 

[realarch]

South Island just north of Greymouth at a place called Pancake Rocks. Thousands of Nikau at a National forest from the coast to the top of the mountains. I almost lost my mind when the setting sun was illuminating the crown shafts of a carpet of palms.

Tim

[aabell]

I've never been to NZ, don't know how easily accessible it is, but I would want to see the Nikau along the west coast of south Island. This is the Heaphy Track:

https://goo.gl/maps/rDJm2hpoU1sboqZT6

[tim_brissy_13]

If you’re up near Bay of Islands or Kerikeri at any stage, South Pacific Palms nursery is pretty cool. Around Auckland, Landsendt and the Auckland Botanic Gardens were both special. 

[tim_brissy_13]

If you’re up near Bay of Islands or Kerikeri at any stage, South Pacific Palms nursery is pretty cool. Around Auckland, Landsendt and the Auckland Botanic Gardens were both special. 

[Tyrone]

Thanks very much for the replies. I’ve got quite a bit to research now and plan out. Got to get google maps out etc and see where everything is in relation to each spot. Many thanks guys.