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The New Zealand Gardens Trust has appointed Jen Nolan as its new chair, alongside two new board members, as the organisation continues promoting New Zealand’s gardens as visitor destinations.
Jen is the founder of Wellington-based corporate affairs agency At Large and succeeds outgoing chair Hamish Saxton, whose tenure helped strengthen New Zealand’s profile as an international garden tourism destination.
Jen says gardens continue to play an important role for both domestic and international visitors.
“I’m delighted to continue the work led by Hamish Saxton, who has made an outstanding contribution to the Trust and to New Zealand’s visitor sector,” Jen says.
“Now more than ever, gardens provide places to pause and reflect. A visit to a garden is, I believe, one of the best balms for troubled times.”
The Trust has also appointed Luke Gardner and Hannah Myers to its board.
Luke owns Longbush Cottage, a four-star rated NZ Gardens Trust garden in the Wairarapa, and brings experience as both a garden owner and visitor attraction operator.
Hannah brings governance and financial experience, including previous senior roles at Fonterra and work with community organisations including Dress for Success Hamilton.
The Trust also confirmed the reappointment of Wolfgang Bopp as deputy chair. Wolfgang, who is director of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, was recently appointed a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture for 2026.
Established in 2004, the New Zealand Gardens Trust promotes excellence in horticulture and garden tourism through a national garden assessment and rating system.
