Patrons

Who is involved?

The Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens hold the exhibition, in partnership with the Auckland Botanic Gardens. This partnership has successfully run eight exhibitions with the ninth exhibition to open on 16 November 2024. Sponsorship and partnerships are key to the success of the event. Auckland Council generously contributes to the exhibition, as do engineers from Airey Consultants and TD Structures.

The Friends of the Gardens are responsible for providing the remaining budget through their own funds, fundraising and patrons support. This specifically provides for the community engagement programme and artists’ support. Our patrons’ group is comprised of community-minded individuals who offer financial support to the Friends, attend our events and can help by word-of-mouth promotions through their own networks. 

Thank you to our patrons for 2024–25

Tony Buttimore

Kate Fardell

Phil Govorko

Judi and Garry Hadfield

Anonymous Patron

Maggie Burrill

Bill Burrill

Eleanor and Dick Lane

John and Sue Maasland

Become a patron of Sculpture in the Gardens

Benefits of being on the team

We consider our patrons group to be part of the wider Sculpture in the Gardens team. Invitation to exclusive patron events allows our patrons to meet our artists, sponsors and team and view the behind-the-scenes activities. They also receive regular newsletters. For further benefits please see the patrons form on the next page.

We hope you’re interested in joining us.

Choose a level to support Sculpture in the Gardens

Click on the categories below to see all the benefits of each…

  • Judged by the exhibition’s curatorial panel of Lynda Tyler, Catherine Hamilton and Terry Urbahn, the Supreme Award is a monetary non-acquisitional award presented to the winning artist on opening night of the exhibition. The curators select the recipient considering craftsmanship and how the work connects to nature, the site and how it engages with the people.

    Celebrate
    Preferential access to view and purchase the exhibition works.

    Join us
    Invitation for ten to the official opening celebration and have a representative to present the award at the ceremony. Complimentary two-year Friends of the Gardens membership for two.

    During the show
    A private curators’ tour with up to ten of your guests.

    Thanks
    Receive recognition of your generous support in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition promotional material, website, social media and key functions.

  • The People’s Choice Award is the highly coveted ‘stamp of approval’ from exhibition visitors. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite sculpture during the exhibition and the winning artist/s are presented with the non-acquisitional award at the closing of the exhibition.

    Celebrate
    Preferential access to view and purchase the exhibition works.

    Join us
    Invitation for ten to the official opening celebration and have a representative to present the award at the ceremony. Complimentary two-year Friends of the Gardens membership for two.

    During the show
    A private curators’ tour with up to ten of your guests.

    Thanks
    Receive recognition of your generous support in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition promotional material, website, social media and key functions.

  • Become a Kauri Patron

    Celebrate
    Preferential access to view and purchase the exhibition works.

    Join us
    Invitation for four to the official opening celebration. Complimentary two-year Friends of the Gardens membership for two.

    During the show
    A private curator’s tour with up to ten of your guests.

    Thanks
    Receive recognition of your generous support in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition promotional material and key functions.

  • Become a Kowhai Patron

    Celebrate
    Preferential access to view and purchase the exhibition works.

    Join us
    Invitation for four to the official opening celebration. Complimentary two-year Friends of the Gardens membership for two.

    During the show
    A private curators’ tour with up to four of your guests.

    Thanks
    Receive recognition of your generous support in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition promotional material and key functions.

  • Become a Silver Fern Patron

    Celebrate
    Preferential access to view and purchase the exhibition works.

    Join us
    Invitation for two to the official opening celebration. Complimentary two-year Friends of the Gardens membership for two.

    Thanks
    Receive recognition of your generous support in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition promotional material and key functions.

  • Become a supporter of Sculpture in the Gardens.

    Join us
    Invitation for two to the official opening celebration.

    Thanks
    Receive recognition of your generous support in the Sculpture in the Gardens exhibition promotional material and key functions.

We would love you to join us on this project

The Friends are an Incorporated Society and Registered Charity. Their mandate is to support the Auckland Botanic Gardens. They have over 300 members, 100 active volunteers and undertake many projects, of which Sculpture in the Gardens is their largest and involves the most partnerships.