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 New Zealand Rhododendron association (inc.)

R Bernice

History of NZRA
Text Box: The New Zealand Rhododendron Association Inc. or NZRA was formed in 1944 The Association was incorporated in August 1945. The objects of the new Association were:- To act as a common meeting ground for Rhododendron enthusiasts and To encourage the cultivation, the study and the improvement of Rhododendrons by such means as the Association see fit. Milestones 1940’s (early) Sir Geoffrey Peren, Principal of Massey Agricultural College suggests to the College Arboretum Committee that a Rhododendron Association be formed. Members were Prof. Peren, Dame Elizabeth Knox-Gilmour, Mr WD Cook, Mr VC Davies, and Dr JS Yeates. 10/8/1944 Professor Peren called a special meeting at which the motion ‘that a New Zealand Rhododendron Association be formed by those present’ was passed unanimously. Provisional officers were WD Cook as Chairman & JS Yeates as secretary/treasurer. 6/9/1944 Letter sent out to prospective members 4/10/1944 First Annual General Meeting. Mr Edgar Stead elected first President, Prof. GS Peren Chairman and Dr JS Yeates Secretary/Treasurer. Adoption of first rules. JS Edmonstone offered to attend to drafting rules, pre incorporation. 4/8/1945 Certificate of Incorporation 1947 Post war food parcels sent to RHS staff 1948 The Botanical Department of Massey College undertook to grow (on it’s own grounds) plants for distribution to members which was a major NZRA function for nearly thirty years. Sources were Edgar Stead’s collection, seed imported from RBGE, United Kingdom garden collections, Pacific Northwest of America, and southern areas of NZ, and later the (NZRA supported) expeditions of Kingdon-Ward. 1949 Donation to Kingdon-Ward plant hunting Expedition to the Himalayas. 1950 WD Cook offers land at Pukeiti to the NZRA Council who were unable to accept, but many NZRA members were involved in the future Pukeiti Trust. WD Cook of Eastwoodhill, Gisborne, purchases 60 acres at Pukeiti, Taranaki. Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust established. (Click here to go to links page) 1952 Rules amended. Plant distribution commences, some with K-W numbers 1958 International Rhododendron Register established 1964 Rhododendron Species Foundation formed USA seed exchange-first list published 1967 First women on NZRA Council (elected 1966) Tour of Pacific Northwest Lease of one acre at Kimbolton 1970 Purchase of land at Haggerty Street, Kimbolton. 1971 NZRA donations over five years to further Rhododendron Species Foundation (USA). Chalet built at Kimbolton 1972 Tour to the United Kingdom via USA. 1973 Additional land purchased at Kimbolton. 1975 New Zealand Rhododendron Register established. Philipsons publish Revision of Lapponicum Rhododendrons. Shade House built at Kimbolton. 1982 Award of Merit Scheme developed during period 1982-86 1984 Equality of election – men & women to the NZRA Council. 1986 Certificate of Affiliation to the RHS. 1988 Calendar produced featuring rhododendrons. 1992 NZRA Council receives advice from the Ministry of Ag & Fish diagnostic station that a consignment of cuttings ex Scotland had been destroyed because of the presence of a powdery mildew fungus unknown to NZ. 1994 Notecards produced featuring NZ bred AM rhododendrons. Dame Catherine Tizard opens new gates at Kimbolton Garden. Hilary Commission ceases funding for Bulletin. 1997 Affiliation of Regional Rhododendron Groups (RHS model). Association ceased employment of professional secretary/treasurer. 1998 Crossing the Rubicon, a handbook of NZ raised rhododendrons published by Canterbury Rhododendron Society. (Click here to go to links page) 1999 Kimbolton Garden receives official name. ‘Heritage Park, Kimbolton, the National Garden of the New Zealand Rhododendron Association’. Second series of Notecards published. 2002 Logo adopted. NZRA Strategic Plan published New Zealand Rhododendron Association 60th Jubilee. New Zealand Rhododendron Association website set up. (www.rhododendron.org.nz) Referendum of membership in favour of setting up Heritage Park as an independent trust. New Zealand Rhododendron Association rewritten rules adopted at AGM 2006 Heritage Park set up as an independent trust. Bernice

Rhododendrons in the Land of the Long White Cloud