Parnell Rose Gardens, Auckland: what to see and when to go

Parnell Rose Gardens, also called Dove-Myer Robinson Park, is a public park in Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand. It features more than 5,000 roses, heritage trees, and special gardens, and hosts the annual Parnell Festival of Roses each November.

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Over 5,000 rose bushes from international breeders
Home to Auckland's oldest mānuka and largest pōhutukawa trees
Hosts the annual Parnell Festival of Roses each November
Features the heritage-focused Nancy Steen Garden
Popular wedding venue in the white garden

What is Parnell Rose Gardens?

Parnell Rose Gardens is a public park known for its large collection of over 5,000 rose bushes, including varieties bred by well-known international rose breeders. The gardens also feature a 'white garden' often used for weddings, heritage trees such as Auckland's oldest mānuka and largest pōhutukawa, and several memorials and sculptures. Visitors can walk among rose beds, relax on lawns, and explore special areas like the Nancy Steen Garden, which showcases heritage roses.

The history of Parnell Rose Gardens

The land, once called Taurarua, became part of Auckland in 1840 through land made available by Ngati Whatua. In 1914, local ratepayers approved a loan to purchase the area for a park, and the Gillies residence on the site was later converted to a tea house. The park was named Dove-Myer Robinson Park in 1981, after Auckland's longest-serving mayor. Over time, features such as the Netherlands War Memorial, sculptures, and the Nancy Steen Garden have been added.

What there is to see

The gardens are planted with thousands of rose bushes, including both modern and heritage varieties. Special areas include the white garden, the Nancy Steen Garden, and lawns shaded by mature native trees. The park is maintained by Auckland Council, and roses are displayed in beds and borders. The gardens are open to the public, and paths and seating areas allow visitors to enjoy the flowers and views.

When to go

The Parnell Rose Gardens are popular for weddings, especially in the white garden. Each November, the park hosts the Parnell Festival of Roses, featuring stalls and entertainment. Locals and tourists visit to enjoy the roses in bloom, walk among the gardens, and attend events. The park is also a place for relaxation, picnics, and learning about heritage roses.

Parts and collections

The Nancy Steen Garden is a special section dedicated to heritage roses and honours rosarian Nancy Steen. The park includes roses bred by internationally known breeders, and the 'Nancy Steen' floribunda rose was developed in 1976. Other features include memorials, sculptures, and notable trees, making each area of the park distinct.

Why Parnell Rose Gardens matters

The gardens are an important part of Auckland's public spaces and host the annual Parnell Festival of Roses. The Nancy Steen Garden celebrates the legacy of a noted New Zealand rosarian and author. The park is also a venue for community gatherings, weddings, and remembrance, and it preserves both botanical and local history.

The flowers of Parnell Rose Gardens

RoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours

Questions people ask about Parnell Rose Gardens

Where is Parnell Rose Gardens located?

Parnell Rose Gardens is in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is also known as Dove-Myer Robinson Park and is easily accessible from central Auckland.

What can visitors see at the gardens?

Visitors can see more than 5,000 rose bushes, heritage roses in the Nancy Steen Garden, Auckland's oldest mānuka and largest pōhutukawa trees, memorials, sculptures, and lawns for picnics and relaxation.

When is the best time to visit Parnell Rose Gardens?

The best time to visit is in spring and summer, especially in November during the Parnell Festival of Roses, when the roses are in full bloom and the gardens host special events.

What is special about the Nancy Steen Garden?

The Nancy Steen Garden displays heritage roses and honours Nancy Steen, a New Zealand rosarian and author. It was opened in 1984 and celebrated its fortieth anniversary in 2024.

Can the gardens be used for weddings?

Yes, the 'white garden' within Parnell Rose Gardens is a popular venue for weddings, offering a picturesque setting among the roses.

Good reading and sources

Official websiteOfficial site

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Parnell Rose Gardens", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Shalimar Bagh: ANSAR AHMAD, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Yadavindra Gardens: Giridhar Appaji Nag Y, CC BY 2.0, source

Chashme Shahi: Amitraina at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source

Auckland Botanic Gardens: Botanic jeff, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Rose: User:Tigerente, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Christchurch Botanic Gardens: Szilas, Public domain, source

Queenstown Gardens: fr:Utilisateur:FRED The original uploader was FRED at French Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Alhambra: Jebulon, CC0, source

Hamilton Gardens: Hamiltongardens, CC BY 3.0, source

Parnell Rose Gardens