Ashburton’s Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Heritage Park will soon be recognised as part of a national heritage trail.

It will become a Tohu Whenua amongst ten others in Canterbury to form a free itinerary of places to visit and explore history where it happened.

Tohu Whenua’s Project Manager for Waitaha/Canterbury Jake Thomas said that all Tohu Whenua sites are family friendly and are only selected if they offer an excellent visitor experience.

“Visitors can follow in the footsteps of extraordinary and ordinary New Zealanders and discover the traditions, triumphs, challenges and innovations that have shaped our country and culture”.

Descendants of the Ng King Brothers met onsite last week with staff from Tohu Whenua, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Ashburton District Council.

They met to film footage for the promotion of the programme, discuss the installation of a site marker for visitors to scan when they visit, and hear updates on the heritage park from the Council.

Group Manager of Infrastructure and Open Spaces Neil McCann said that Council has been progressing on the landscape plan for the area that was agreed upon by the Ng King Brothers descendants, who are owners of the land.

“It’s a privilege to be the custodians of this special area. We have finished off a figure-of-eight path within the site, which we believe to mean good luck in traditional Chinese culture.

“We’re already noticing what a great connection the site is between the nearby retirement village and the subdivision, and we’re pleased to hear that schools are visiting the park.

“We’ve planted some trees and shrubs as we can but it’s a few more years yet until its fully developed.”

A celebration is planned for spring, to unveil the installation of a site marker which will collect visitor numbers to the site.

The park was opened in February 2024.

Learn more about the heritage park.

About Tohu Whenua

Tohu Whenua is a partnership between the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Department of Conservation and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

The programme currently operating in three regions (Otago, Te Tai Tokerau Northland, and Te Tai Poutini West Coast) and is rolling out in other regions.

The Canterbury official regional launch will take place in June 2025.

1. Kaikōura Cultural Artwork Trail.
2. Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway
3. Fyffe House (Kaikōura)
4. Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate Shepherd House (Christchurch)
5. Pūtaringamotu - Riccarton House and Bush (Christchurch)
6. Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre (Christchurch)
7. Lyttelton Timeball (Banks Peninsula)
8. Awaroa Godley Head Battery (Banks Peninsula)
9. Ng King Brothers Chinese Market Garden Heritage Park (Ashburton)
10. Ōtūwharekai – Hakatere Heritage (Mid Canterbury)
11. Te Ana Ngāi Tahu Rock Art Centre (Timaru).