Hamilton Gardens
From humble beginnings to a regional treasure
Part of a thriving community is about providing public spaces that people take joy in and enjoy being part of. The Hamilton Gardens has always been beautiful and considered one of Hamilton City’s most valued community assets.
The themed gardens and recreation areas, covering 46.5 hectares, are internationally recognized, winning the International Garden of the Year Award in 2015. The gardens offer a unique outdoor experience. The gardens are wholly owned and operated by the Hamilton City Council and attract more than one million people per year. They are consistently identified by Hamilton residents as a facility of which they are proud.
Since the development of the themed gardens started in earnest in the 1980s, trusts have been established to oversee the fundraising for each individual garden on a garden by garden basis. More than $6M has been raised across the 21 existing gardens. Council has committed to developing 12 more gardens over 10 years, at a total estimated cost of $7.033M.
Hamilton City Council engaged Giblin Group in June 2014 to undertake a Feasibility Study and develop a Revenue Generation Strategy for the proposed development of the new gardens and associated facilities over a ten year period.
Giblin Group worked with Hamilton City Council and Hamilton Gardens’ staff to produce the two documents, which underpinned the project’s funding applications. An application to the Lottery Grants Board: Significant Projects Fund secured $2.5M for the project and an application to Trust Waikato was granted $215,000.
Along with the implementation of a targeted Council rate, as at July 2015 Hamilton City Council had fundraised successfully to secure three-quarters of the total funding required for the first four gardens.
“As our thinking evolved, Giblin Group showed a steady commitment to deepen their understanding of our needs. We always looked forward to our coaching sessions which were stimulating and inspiring. Jess and Jenni became valued colleagues that supported and provoked thinking with rigour and generosity. They’re now not only valuable advocates for BATS but part of our whānau.”
“Jenni did a fantastic job in helping us to secure critical partnerships and funding support for our internationally significant Len Lye Centre project – what’s more we really enjoyed working with her.”
“Giblin Group’s knowledge of government practices and procedures on a national and local level is invaluable, and I often find that they are well connected with staff and officials on all levels of Government. Giblin Group scopes their assignments well, provides accurate cost estimates for their services, delivers within the agreed timeframes and always deliver excellent quality work – no project manager can really ask for more!”
“The work that the Giblin Group completed, in collaboration with our staff, was instrumental in the success the project has had in securing significant funding to this key City initiative. In particular we have found the experience of the Giblin Group to been invaluable in seeking funding from a variety of sources in an increasingly challenging environment.”