Welcome To Heritage Roses New Zealand

A Brief History

Heritage Roses NZ was formed in June 1980 by Mrs Toni Sylvester and the late Mr Ken Nobbs, both of whom had a specific interest in growing and learning about old fashioned roses. Both were members of Heritage Rose groups in Australia and the USA, and believed that there was a group of gardeners in NZ with similar interests. Toni and Ken placed adverts to locate these gardeners, and attracted an immediate and widespread response; thus Heritage Roses New Zealand was launched.

Become A Member

We love old roses – their beauty, their fragrance, their resilience, their stories – and work to conserve these “antiques of the rose world” as very viable shrubs in the modern garden.

Awards & Scholarships

Learn more about our past and present Awards & Scholarships.