Auckland Home Show adds Garden Showcase for September

The Auckland Home Show will add a 2,500-square-metre Garden Showcase to its next edition, centred on six full-scale gardens.

The new area will sit within the wider exhibition at Auckland Showgrounds, surrounded by smaller garden spaces, outdoor living displays, a barbecue and entertaining area, and four tiny homes. The displays are intended to cover planting, landscaping, materials and outdoor design.

The addition broadens an event that already spans renovation, construction, interiors and home technology. More than 450 exhibitors are due to take part in the show's 44th edition, which is expected to draw more than 38,000 visitors over four days.

Amanda Magnus, General Manager of the Auckland Home Show, said the new section responds to sustained interest in gardens and outdoor areas among New Zealand homeowners.

"We know how much Kiwis love their gardens and outdoor living, so we wanted to create something that would really inspire people and give them ideas they could take home," Magnus said.

She said the format would differ from a conventional trade display by presenting complete spaces rather than individual items.

"Instead of seeing individual products in isolation, people will be able to walk through complete garden environments and see how the planting, landscaping, materials and outdoor living elements can all work together," Magnus said.

Seasonal push

The launch comes as retailers and service providers in the home improvement sector compete for consumer spending tied to spring projects. In New Zealand, spring often marks the start of a busy period for landscaping, renovations and outdoor upgrades as households prepare for warmer months.

Magnus said the timing reflects that seasonal pattern.

"Spring is when people start thinking about what they want to change around the home, whether that's finally getting started on a renovation or doing something about the backyard," she said.

Alongside the new garden feature, the exhibition will continue to target homeowners planning major projects as well as visitors looking for ideas. Attendees will be able to compare products in person, speak directly with suppliers and review pricing across a broad range of categories.

That proposition is central to the event's pitch in a market where renovation research often takes place over weeks or months online and in showrooms. By bringing hundreds of suppliers together in one venue, the show aims to compress that process into a single visit.

"People can normally spend weeks or months researching a renovation or building project, but at the Auckland Home Show you can get a huge amount of that research done in one day," Magnus said. "So bring your plans, talk to the experts and compare different products and solutions for yourself, and potentially save a lot of money at the same time."

Advice and demos

The event will also include a programme of free seminars across the four days. The Design Renovate Decorate Seminar Series will cover building and renovating, kitchens and bathrooms, interiors and colour, and gardens and landscaping, with speakers fielding questions from visitors about their own projects.

The seminars have become a regular draw because they combine practical guidance with direct access to specialists. The format reflects wider consumer demand for in-person advice at a time when many homeowners are weighing the cost and complexity of renovation work.

"The seminars are incredibly popular because people come to the show with real questions," Magnus said. "You might be working out where to start with a renovation, planning a new kitchen or bathroom, wondering what to do with the garden or looking for the latest ideas for your home. Whatever the question, there's likely to be someone at the show who can help."

Another new feature will be The Kitchen, a working kitchen developed with Kaboodle and Samsung. The area will include live demonstrations, kitchen design ideas, smart appliances and cooking sessions.

The Ryobi Make + Take Workshops will return for visitors wanting hands-on DIY activities and tool demonstrations. The Home Marketplace will focus on homewares, art, furniture, lighting and décor from local artisans and smaller businesses.

Sunday will again be positioned as Family Fun Day, with free activities for younger visitors including face painting and children's workshops. Exhibitors across the show are also expected to offer show-specific deals during the four-day run.

Magnus said the event is designed to appeal to a broad range of households and budgets.

"There really is something for every home and every budget. Bring your plans, bring your questions, or just come along and have a look. There's a huge amount to see at the Auckland Home Show & Garden Showcase this September," she said.