About the Trust and Our Friends

hdr trust

'He taungata. He taungata, He taungata'
It is people. It is people. It is people

From Stanley and Blanche Bason's enthusiasm and ideas to today's workers and visitors, it is people who make the Bason Botanic Gardens grow.  You are invited to become involved too, as a visitor, friend of the Bason trust member, volunteer gardener, sponsor and/or benefactor.

In 1900, John Bason and his wife Mary purchased a property at Rapanui just outside Wanganui, a small coastal area newly opened to farming. A year later they adopted a son, Stanley.

When, in 1934, John Bason died, Stanley Bason inherited the then debt-ridden property. He later married his sweetheart, Blanche Prideaux, and together they farmed and nurtured their property and their botanical interests

In 1966, Stanley and Blanche gifted the debt free 25 hectare farm property to the Wanganui City Council for the creation of a botanical reserve. It has subsequently developed into a garden of regional significance, the capital works for which have been almost entirely raised by donation and bequest.

The Trust

The Trust, formed in 1982, consists of an elected Board and Friends of the Bason.  The Trust Board` develops the strategic plan for the Gardens and with the Friends of the Bason, promotes and support its development in many ways.  The WDC maintains the gardens and works with the Trust to further their mutual interests.

The Gardens

The gardens are currently maintained by the WDC and their development guided by the Bason Botanic Garden Trust which is appointed annually by subscribed members (known as the Friends of the Bason Botanic Gardens). The gardens are a botanically diverse, architectural and artistic sanctuary. Visitors are enchanted by the topographic and botanic diversity and design. They also come to see and enjoy picnics at one of the seven free to use barbecue sites, attend events such as Shakespeare in the Park, play disc golf or just to relax in a beautiful place.

You may become a member of the

Friends of the Bason Botanical Gardens

People may subscribe to become “Friends of the Bason Botanic Gardens” This may be simply a financial donation, or they may also become part of a Volunteer Group working on individual projects, from newsletter production and delivery to development work, potting up, weeding and maintenance. In return the volunteers make new friends with similar interests and learn from working with botanical experts.

Friends receive an informative newsletter at least three times a year, e-note contact when there's news of interest and invitations to Friends' events such as plant sales, demonstrations and workshops where they may meet others with similar interests.

The usual Volunteer Gardeners Morning at the Bason is the last Tuesday of each month from 9.00 – 12.00. Meet at the succulent garden near the Homestead.

“Friends” benefits include:

  • Special Offers on plants and/or seeds of special Bason plants such as the Haemanthus (blood-lilies) as they become available
  • Discount to Bason events such as Shakespeare in the Park
  • Seasonal guided tours of the gardens and/or presentations by notable gardeners.
  • Periodic newsletters highlighting plants and upcoming events

How to Join

Please send the following information via email to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
mail to: BBG Trust Treasurer, PO Box 778, Whanganui 4540.
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Name:
Address:
Email:
Phone:
! I wish to join the Volunteer Gardeners who meet last Tuesday morning of each month at the Homestead Gardens (between 9.00 and 12.00).

! I wish to nominate someone to the BBG Board.

! Please provide me with a tax receipt for my donation/koha

Donations or koha can be made direct to the Bason Botanical Garden Trust’s bank account no: 03-0791-0463019-00. Please include your name and state that it is a donation in your reference line.
Thank-you.

Sponsors and benefactors

These wonderful people enable dreams to become realities. Much of the progress of the Bason is dependent on donations of time, expertise and finance, for which the Trust is very appreciative.  If you would like to make an annual donation with your membership, a project donation, an endowment or a gift of a memorial feature please contact the BBG Trust email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or post monetary donations to BBG Trust Treasurer, PO Box 778, Wanganui/Whanganui.

Bequests and donations may go towards

  • Enhancement of the Endowment Fund to develop the Bason 
  • Large projects, like a central Visitor Centre which will provide a base for education sessions, research facilities and archival storage
  • Garden projects like the Lakeside walkway project or the computerised inventory
  • Plant collection development
  • Plant labelling – an ongoing project
  • Structural enhancements

We welcome your interest and involvement!