Parnell Rose Festival is an annual event; held when the roses are in full bloom. There are 5000 rose bushes growing here. The park sweeps down to Judges' Bay and makes for a lovely stroll on an ordinary day. The roses are amazing colours, some look like raspberry ripple ice-cream and others are straight out of Alice Through the Looking Glass.
The park, in Parnell, is named after the popular and longest serving mayor of Auckland (for 18 years). Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, served as Mayor the longest total time of any mayor so far in the city.
He was apparently a colourful character and was affectionately known across New Zealand as "Robbie". He was described as a "slight, bespectacled man whose tiny stature was offset by a booming voice and massive ego". He came from Sheffield - which might explain it.. Anyway, the gardens are lovely!
The weather was gorgeous and the craft and artists' market in full swing.
We had a picnic, ate giant ice-creams and listened to the jazz band. We also bought some lovely crafts for Christmas presents, so you can all look forward to those!
The park is also home to some remarkable native trees - the oldest manuka (and I hear Manuka Honey has arrived in the UK!) and the largest pohutukawa tree in Auckland. The photo doesn't do it justice, it is absolutely huge and awe-inspiring. There were fairies clambering all over it and old folk resting on huge branches, which were like benches.
There was a central stage with dancing from different ethnic groups and children running around dressed as flowers. We found a little fairy house in a corner of the garden.
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