|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Franklin’s Jack Hobbs has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to horticulture.
Hobbs is an award-winning horticulturalist and plant breeder who worked at the Auckland Botanic Gardens from 1977 to 2025.
Hobbs began his working life as an accountant, before going back to university to do an arts degree with the intention of becoming a teacher like a lot of his family members.
He then took a holiday job working in a Fisher & Paykel factory, lasting about two weeks before asking to work in their gardens instead.
“I had no formal training or experience, but my parents and grandparents were very keen gardeners. The whole family were keen gardeners, and I enjoyed working in our vegetable garden.”
Hobbs didn’t take up a full-time horticulture role until 1977.
“A friend of mine spotted a job on a landscape crew for the Auckland Regional Council. You went around regional parks and did work in the garden, whatever they needed you to do, so I applied for a job there. The manager of parks, a legendary parks man called Phil Jew, asked if I’d like to work at these new botanic gardens they were starting.
“And so I started there.”
Auckland Council chief executive Phil Wilson said few staff have offered up nearly five decades of their working life in the way that Jack Hobbs has.
“Our gardens have evolved from farmland to an internationally renowned and award-winning collection of horticultural and scientific significance under Jack’s watch.
“Jack’s legacy includes the hundreds of horticultural staff who have been mentored by him; thousands of community volunteers who have been inspired by him; and the strength and support of the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, which has grown alongside him and the gardens.”
Some might recognise Hobbs from his role as a presenter on Maggie’s Garden Show from 1991 to 2003. He enjoyed his time on the show, even travelling to Canada with Maggie Barry.
His work in horticulture has offered Hobbs many opportunities to travel all around the country and across the world in his role at the Auckland Botanic Gardens and later as a travel escort for Pukekohe Travel.
“I’ve been to some amazing places; Siberia has to be one of my favourites. I’ve also seen some fantastic gardens around New Zealand. But Ayrlies Garden and Wetlands in Whitford is one of the best.”
Hobbs has been a member of the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture since 1977; was made a fellow in 1991 and an associate of honour in 1996; as well as holding the role of president between 2003 and 2011. He received the Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture Plant Raisers’ Award in 1990 and has been a contributor to NZ Gardener magazine since 1989.
