Flower delivery in Te Awamutu, the Rose Town

Rose Sunday and the 1969 rose gardens

The rose gardens in the centre of town were opened by Governor-General Sir Arthur Porritt on 1 December 1969. Rose Sunday, an event celebrating the gardens in their peak season, was revived for their 50th anniversary in November 2019. That tells you when roses are at their best locally: late spring into summer. Our seasonal flower calendar lists other flowers in season through the year.

St John's, Te Uenuku and the town's history

St John's Church, built in 1853 in Gothic Revival style, is possibly the oldest surviving building in the Waikato. Te Awamutu Museum, established in 1935, holds Te Uenuku, an early Māori carved post. Memorial Park sits where the Mangaohoi Stream meets the Mangapiko, and on a clear day Mount Pirongia is visible about 20 km to the west. Tim and Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House are from Te Awamutu.

Farewells at Te Awamutu Cemetery

Te Awamutu Cemetery is one of 10 council cemeteries in Waipā. It is expected to reach capacity between 2028 and 2033, and the council is planning for more space. If you are sending flowers for a funeral, send them to the funeral home or the family home rather than the cemetery. Our sympathy flower guide explains what to send and what to write, and if the farewell is held on a marae, our tangihanga guide may help.

Dairy farms, College Street and rural Waipā addresses

Te Awamutu has a large dairy factory, and plenty of people around it live on farms. Rural addresses use an RD number, and the mailtown is where the delivery round is based, not necessarily the nearest town. Write the address exactly as the recipient does, add a phone number, and allow a little extra time; weekend delivery to rural addresses is limited in many areas.

For an older relative in care, San Michele Home and Hospital is at 175 College Street. Te Awamutu College has about 1,310 students, so end-of-year prizegivings are another time for flowers.

Patients at Waikato Hospital

We have no hospital listed in Te Awamutu itself. If the person is at Waikato Hospital, flowers are not allowed in Critical Care (ICU and HDU); no rule is published for other wards, so check with the ward before sending. For the neighbouring town, see Kihikihi.

Places flowers often go in Te Awamutu

Rest homes and care

• San Michele Home and Hospital

Cemeteries

• Te Awamutu Cemetery
• Kihikihi Cemetery (Kihikihi)

Put the recipient’s ward, room or the funeral director’s name on the order so the florist can find them.