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Robbins Park

Rose Garden (est. 1946), Tropical Display House (est. 1954): Prior to 1828 when Hauraki tribes invaded Otamataha Pā, this land was occupied by local Māori. After the invasion local Maori mainly settled elsewhere including on Matapihi Peninsular. The near-by Mission Station (now The Elms Te Papa) was established in 1838. The land where the Rose Gardens are today, was later used by the Armed Constabulary as a barracks, gymnasium, and mess room. In 1886 by the newly formed police force removed the buildings and grazed their horses here. Renamed Robbins Park in 1946, the Floral Society planted the 28-bed rose gardens. In the middle of the lily pond sits a statue of Ceres, upon a base of obsidian from Tūhua | Mayor Island. The colourful Tropical Display House was created in 1954 and the ivy colonnade - dismantled in 2022 and which provided a protection from the cliff edge - was erected in 1963. Sam McReady noted New Zealand rose breeder, has many of his roses in this delightful garden. This garden and the Tropical Greenhouse is visited by 1000's each year. It is one of the few areas of early Tauranga settlement history remaining today.

Map No. 22.
7 Cliff Road,
Tauranga, 3110

Timeline to Rose Gardens
The Robbins Park Rose Garden in central Tauranga, New Zealand, is a historical and botanical landmark overlooking the Tauranga waterfront. Its chronological history spans from early military and police use to its formal opening in 1960.

Early Origins (1864 – 1940)

1864: British troops fortified Taumatakahawai Pā at the southern end of the cliffs. The land to the north was later used as an Armed Constabulary gymnasium and mess room.
1886: The newly-formed police force took over the site, removing old buildings and using the space as a paddock to graze horses.
1940s: The Tauranga Borough Council took over the area.

Park Establishment and Rose Garden (1946 – 1960)

1946: The site was officially renamed Robbins Park, in honor of former Tauranga Mayor B.C. Robbins.
1950s: The Floral Society helped develop the park by planting an initial 28-bed rose garden.
1954: The park's Tropical Display House was constructed to showcase orchids and begonias.
1960: The Robbins Park Rose Garden was officially opened. It was planted with a variety of modern bush, shrub, and climbing roses.

Evolution and Modern Era (1970s – Present)

1970s: A statue of a small boy holding a name plaque, sculpted by Peter McTainsh, was added to the rose garden. The original statue later went missing after being damaged.
Late 20th Century: The gardens became celebrated locally and were nominated by Dr. Sam McGredy IV as one of the premier rose gardens in New Zealand. A Renaissance Italian-style ivy colonnade was added to frame the gardens.
2022: The historical ivy colonnade was dismantled due to aging.

Present Day: The rose garden remains a free, popular public attraction in Tauranga, offering picturesque views of the harbour, Mauao, and the Port of Tauranga. If you are planning to visit or looking into specific rose varieties:

Find the current open hours for the adjoining Tropical Display House
Learn about other historical sites nearby, like The Elms Historic Mission House

More Information (links):

https://sandrasgardenblog.word...

https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/p...

https://paekoroki.tauranga.gov...

https://www.facebook.com/watch...

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Robbins Park