Hamilton Gardens Receives Financial Boost from Braithwaite Family

Back in 1989, Hamilton’s former Deputy Mayor Kathleen Braithwaite made a large donation to the fledgling Hamilton Gardens.

Her generous contribution funded the development of the English Flower Garden and was instrumental in transforming the former rubbish dump into an internationally award winning destination.

Yesterday, (July 22) her son David - himself a former mayor - followed in his mother's footsteps, donating $100,000 towards the Gardens' development project. The donation will be used to fund the construction of the Huddleston – a sculpture in the centre of the Fantasy Garden Collection described as a ‘floating garden.’  The donation also means construction can get underway on a courtyard which will provide access to four adjacent gardens.

Mr Braithwaite says the family has always enjoyed gardens.

“They’re a simple pleasure in a modern world," he says.  "It’s a privilege to have this opportunity to support this attraction in our city.”

Hamilton Gardens has been a part of the Braithwaite family for several generations. David’s sister, Marjorie Dyer, has been involved in the Friends of Hamilton Gardens - a group of volunteers who fundraise and promote the Gardens - for many years. The group's constitution limits the number of living life members to 20 and at present there are 12.

"Marjorie has made a huge contribution to the Gardens and carried on where our mother left off," Mr Braithwaite says.

His father Rod founded the Waikato Savings Bank in the 1950s and David was on its board when the bank made grants to Hamilton Gardens. The bank went on to become Trust Waikato and remains a major supporter of the Gardens.

Mr Braithwaite describes himself as an amateur landscaper and says he is working on a small nature walk on his property, enjoying the sense of well-being that the work brings.

“My wife Rae is the real garden artist in our family - but I do like mowing the lawns,” he says.

Mr Braithwaite congratulated the Hamilton Gardens and the Council for "bringing people together."

"Our city is fortunate that so many people contribute to the success of the Gardens – The Friends, volunteers and donors. We are very thankful to Lottery Significant Projects Fund for their tremendous support and we know that our community will continue to contribute to this exciting development of the Hamilton Gardens."

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker described the donation as “incredibly generous” and great support for the Hamilton Garden’s development project.


Photo credit © Diane Crawford


Photo credit © Diane Crawford

“I know I am speaking for all Hamiltonians when I say that a donation of this magnitude is an extraordinarily generous gift. The Braithwaite name is woven into the history of the city with David and his father both being Hamilton mayors and with the Hamilton Gardens through the involvement of David’s mother and his sister. It's fantastic to know that the family’s relationship with our city and the Gardens will continue through this philanthropic gesture.”