Book celebrates love of New Zealand’s native plants
A richly illustrated celebration of New Zealanders and their passion for native plants has been published by Canterbury
University Press.
Living with Natives, edited by Professor Ian Spellerberg from Lincoln University and Napier-based environmental and
planning consultant Michele Frey, is a collection of 44 moving and informative narratives by people of all ages and from
all walks of life who talk about their love of, and experiences with, native plants.
“These are such wonderful and inspiring stories,” said Professor Spellerberg.
“Some will bring not only tears of joy but tears to your eyes because they are so personal and so moving. I dearly hope
that all those who read this book will be inspired to make a place for native plants in their lives.”
Sumptuously illustrated with images taken by Christchurch-based photographer John Maillard, each garden story records
the author’s successes and failures with native flora, many offering helpful tips to the reader.
Those telling their gardening tales include Untouched World founder Peri Drysdale, Green Party co-leader Jeanette
Fitzsimons, Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt, children from Kimbolton School in the Manawatu, Coromandel potter Barry
Brickell, Canterbury botanist Hugh Wilson, Black Cap Mathew Sinclair plus a host of conservationists and native plant
enthusiasts from around the country.
Ms Frey, whose passion resides in ecological restoration, said finding out about the projects going on around the
country had been so exciting and encouraging.
“The book has provided an opportunity to understand and celebrate the outstanding efforts being undertaken with native
plants around the country.”
The book follows on from a previous publication Professor Spellerberg edited with the late botanist David Given, called
Going Native (Canterbury University Press, 2004).
Living with Natives was published with the support of Resene Paints Ltd.
Author biographies:
Ian Spellerberg is a Professor of Nature Conservation and Director of the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation at
Lincoln University. He has been involved in a number of native plant projects, including the recently established Te Ara
Kakariki Greenway Canterbury Project. He is president of the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network and Vice-President
of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.
Michele Frey is an environmental and recreation planning consultant in Napier. She is actively involved in a number of
reserve restoration projects, and carries out parks and reserves planning for a range of public and private
organisations.
Photographer John Maillard is the programme leader of Photography and Multimedia at CPIT in Christchurch. With over 20
years photographic experience in Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, his specialisation is in
documenting landscapes and people.
ENDS