Fernery and Display Houses

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The People Behind the Plants

THE FERNERY AND DISPLAY HOUSES TEAM

Meet our team

There is a team of three full-time horticulturalists working over a seven day roster and a part-time horticultural apprentice who together create and maintain the displays, propagate plants, manage the nursery and growing areas and maintain the buildings and structures.

Technical Officer Donna Christiansen

Dip Hort (amenity), N.C.H. Cert Hort Management

Donna has 30 years experience in the horticulture industry including working in amenity horticulture, landscaping and maintenance and 10 years co-owning a retail garden centre.

Donna joined the Fernery and Display Houses in late 2005. While she is responsible for the overall running of the facility she still has dirt under her nails with her involvement in the day-to-day tasks of the Fernery and Display Houses.

Horticultural Officer Judi Harre

R.N.Z.I.H. Dip. Hort. (amenity ) and Trade Cert. Hort

Judi has 25 years horticulture experience, including running her own Japanese Maple Nursery and Organic Fruit Tree orchard. She has worked in the Fernery and Display Houses since 2003 and considers this her dream job.

Over the years Judi has cared for all areas and plants, but she has a particular interest in the ferns and the orchid collections.

Judi is currently studying towards a degree in Environmental Studies.

Horticultural Officer Steve Curtis

NZQA Dip Hort

Steve has 10 years experience in the horticultural industry working in a wholesale nursery before joining the Fernery Team in February 2007.

Steve is the curator of the lower houses, ferns and cooler climate plants.