Matt is author of Common Ground: Garden histories of Aotearoa which takes a loving look at gardens and garden practices in Aotearoa over time. While a lot of gardening books focus on the grand plantings of wealthy citizens, Matt Morris explores the historical processes behind ‘humble gardens’ – those created and maintained by ordinary people.

Compost, Māori gardens, the suburban vege patch, the rise of soil toxin levels, the role of native plants and City Beautiful movements ... Morris looks at the ways in which cultural meanings have been inscribed in the land through our gardening practices over time. What do our gardens say about us, and where we have been?

Matt has always lived in Christchurch. After completing a PhD on Christchurch’s garden history he began working in the Sustainability Office at the University of Canterbury, where he has been working for the past ten years. He is deeply involved in community-led garden initiatives and has surrounded his home in New Brighton with fruit trees and vegetables, while keeping bees and making glorious foods. He self-published a selection of his garden columns from the Press called Cuttings from Paradise.

The Garden Party appearance
Saturday 20 Feb
1pm, Matt will give a talk on his book Common Ground: Garden Histories of Aotearoa, in the Treehouse, Wellington Botanic Garden

Space limited. Reserve your spot for $10 here.

Book: