This is the second international conference to be convened in New Zealand following the successful conference held in Auckland in 2005. The format is similar to those conferences held in Melbourne every few years since the first in 1989. This year, following extensive research, we are delighted to present a total of twelve papers by overseas speakers and two by New Zealanders. We recognise that the success of these conferences is primarily due to the outstanding overseas speakers and we have no doubt that this conference will live up to the exhilaration of the 2005 experience.

This year’s theme is Garden Design for a Changing Climate—a theme which acknowledges the rapid pace of change in landscape and garden design throughout the world. Gardens today often reflect changing lifestyles, global warming and a need for low maintenance horticulture. Can these challenges be met, and can gardens still be beautiful, comfortable and designed to uplift the senses and inspire?