NZOS Day Trip – Western Springs to Whangarei

On Saturday, 15 February, a group of New Zealand Orchid Society members gathered at Western Springs, ready for a day trip north to Whangarei. Some travelled together in the hired minibus, while others drove their own cars.

Our first stop was at Ninox Orchids, where members enjoyed light refreshments, selected plants, and made a few purchases. Spirits were high as the group continued on to visit Thomas at Kentia Palms.

Thomas, as always, greeted us warmly and set out a welcoming lunch in his front garden. After relaxing, we began a tour of his growing houses. Unlike Ninox, which is dedicated almost entirely to orchids, Kentia Palms focuses mainly on palms, exotic plants, and a wide variety of potted specimens—though orchids could still be found among them.

One challenge for visitors was spotting the orchids hidden among the sea of greenery. While many of us stayed focused on orchids, a few members admitted to being tempted by other plants and left with purchases that were not orchids.

After exploring Kentia Palms, it was time to return to Auckland. The day proved to be both enjoyable and educational. For newer members, seeing how plants are grown on a commercial scale offered valuable insight into orchid growing practices.

A big thank you goes to Hubert and Tania at Ninox, as well as Thomas Brown at Kentia Palms, for their hospitality and for helping make the day such a success.