Waikato Rose Society

14/06/2026

Mid-winter Christmas done right! 🎄🌹
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the WRS lunch — great food, even better company, and so much rose talk.

Special thanks to the team for organising, and to the Hamilton Working Men's Club for having us.

Now… bring on the 2026 rose season!
Hamilton Workingmen's Dart Club

12/06/2026

Are you ready for the rose season?

12/06/2026

For all your FIFA fans 😆
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CDbmK3DRe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

30/05/2026

I know you want to prune your rose bushes, but you should really wait until July. Join us on one of our pruning demonstrations in July to get all the pro tips you need.

www.facebook.com/share/r/1Bw4NDP1i5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

27/05/2026

What an incredible result for the Waikato Rose Society! We are absolutely bursting with pride to share the winners of the NZRS 2027 Rose Calendar competition, announced at the recent NZRS AGM.

A massive congratulations to our talented members who captured the beauty of the blooms so perfectly that they’ve earned a place in this prestigious national calendar. Waikato growers took out the vast majority of the spots, a true testament to our members’ skill behind both the pruners and the lens!

Please join us in congratulating our very own winners (and yes, keep an eye out for that stunning cover shot!):

🌹 Avalanche – Bev Fletcher
🖤 Black Lace (and Cover Image!) – Adrian Bullen
✨ Glorious – Kirsty Bullen
💛 Graham Thomas – Irene Taylor
💚 Green with Envy – Barry Wilcox
🌺 On the Fence – Maggie Hong
🏙️ Sky Tower – Janet Pike
🙏 St Mary’s Rose – Eileen Wilcox

We also want to extend a huge congratulations to the other winners from our fellow societies, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who entered. With the judging described as incredibly tight, you’ve all done us proud.

18/05/2026

Don't worry, you are not alone.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1526329932478432

13/05/2026

What a wonderful night at the Waikato Rose Society!
Huge thanks to Sheree Gare for sharing her passion for miniature roses – you could feel the love for every tiny bloom.
And a very special congratulations to Sheree, our newest Life Member of WRS – so well deserved! 👏

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mums, grandmas, and mother figures out there — and especially to mine. Your love, strength, and wisdom have shaped me in more ways than I can count. Today’s for you.

On a slightly cheeky note — if, like me, you’ve got roses on the brain with the 2026 rose season just around the corner, I’ve shared a reel from Wairere Nursery that’s well worth a watch. It’s a brilliant little guide on how to pick a good rose, whether you’re gifting one for Mum or adding to your own garden. Get in early and start dreaming of those spring blooms!

22/04/2026

Wonderful news to share!

Huge congratulations to Gillian Vine – winner of the 2026 RNZIH Horticultural Communicator Award – and a very special shout-out from us at WRs.

Gillian is not only a legendary garden writer and storyteller, but she’s also the dedicated editor for the Otago Rose Society – one of our very own district society editors. We’re so proud to see her incredible work recognised at this national level.

Thank you, Gillian, for everything you do for the rose community, for sharing your knowledge so generously, and for inspiring gardeners across Aotearoa.

👏🌹🌸
Congratulations from all of us at WRs!

🌿 Celebrating Gillian Vine, winner of the 2026 Horticultural Communicator Award!

The Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture are thrilled to announce Gillian Vine as the recipient of the RNZIH Horticultural Communicator Award. From planting her first potato at age four to becoming one of New Zealand's most prolific garden writers, Gillian’s impact on the horticultural community is remarkable.

Highlights of an incredible career:

The Voice of Otago Gardening: Over 20 years and 600+ articles written for the Otago Daily Times, plus 15 years as a regular contributor to Kiwi Gardener.

A Versatile Storyteller: An award-winning journalist whose work has spanned travel, news, and history – even once posing n**e for the ODT to promote National N**e Gardening Day!

Guardian of History: One of only four editors to lead the Star Garden Book (in print since 1912) and currently researching early nurserymen in Dunedin.

Hands-on Passion: More than just a writer, Gillian is a dedicated gardener, flower show exhibitor, and editor for the Otago Rose Society.

Gillian’s lifelong dedication to sharing the joy of plants and people makes her a truly worthy recipient of this year’s honor.

Congratulations, Gillian! 🌸🏆

21/04/2026

Such a great post from Amore Rose – thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously! And a big shout-out to Daltons Garden & Landscape Supplies for the quality product that helps make it happen.

Amore and Daltons are fantastic supporters of WRs – we really appreciate both of you 🙌