A brief history of Garden funding
Over the years, the Friends have supported many projects and initiatives within the Garden – sometimes funded by our members, and other times with grateful assistance from external grants and sponsors. The timeline below provides a glance back at the key highlights in the Friends’ history:| 1986 | Formation of the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden |
| 1987-1995 | Monthly volunteer sessions in the Garden begin |
| 1991 | Lovelock Bush Trail developed by DBG staff and funded by the Friends |
| 1992 | Establishment of the Wetland Garden – funded and volunteer help to construct |
| 1992 | Funding for production of Pat Brooke paintings into notelets |
| 1992 | Martinson Print Project (Tui on Kowhai) which raised $15,000 for the Parakeet Aviary |
| 1996 | Information Centre constructed from funds raised by the Friends, $330,000 |
| 1996 | Establishment of a shop and full-time volunteer support at Information Centre. Information Services Officer position established after Friends petitioned DCC |
| 1996-2000 | Full time Information Centre Manager established, subsidised by Task Force Green |
| 1998-2002 | LEOTC contract with Ministry of Education |
| 1999 | Entranceway development – 150th Anniversary of European Settlement in Otago. Friends contribution of $50,000 with support from the Otago Community Trust |
| 2000-2008 | Shop and volunteers managed by full-time Friends volunteer coordinator. |
| 2001 | South African Garden Development, Friend members contributed $60,000 to enable and complete the project |
| 2003 | The Story of the Dunedin Botanic Garden: New Zealand’s First (Friends contribution ~$76,000) |
| 2009 | Funding of full-time Information Centre Officer, $40,000. Funding of a part-time Executive Officer 20 hrs/week for 12 months $25,000 |
| 2009 | Wolf Harris Fountain upgrade – $36,000 funded by Dunedin Amenities Society and the Harris family |
| 2007 | Great King Street Entranceway project, Members contribution – $40,000. |
| 2010 | Mediterranean Garden, $240,000 contributed equally by the Friends & members |
| 2016 | Duck Pond Pier Project celebrating 30 years of the Friends – $40,000 with support from the Dunedin Casino Charitable Trust |
| 2016 | Garden guide/information book “A Walk in Dunedin Botanic Garden” – $10,000 |
| 2017 | David Tannock Scholarship launched to be funded with the proceeds from the annual Rhododendron Day plany sale |
Significant Individual Contributions
Clive Lister - $250,000 towards the Clive Lister Garden
Barbara & Dick Calvert (Friends members) – $100,000
Olive and Charles Munro (Friends members) – $40,000
Nancy Sime (Friends member) – $120,000
Numerous seats and trees throughout the Garden have been gifted by individuals.
Other contributing community groups
Dunedin Amenities Society
Dunedin Horticultural Society
Rose Society
Herb Society
Alexander McMillan Trust
Cedars of Lebanon Club
Donations and Bequests
If you would like to support projects at the Botanic Garden, you may wish to consider leaving a bequest in your will. For more information or to discuss your wishes, please contact Alan Matchett, the manager of Dunedin Botanic Garden at botanic@dcc.govt.nz or 03 477 4000.
