New Zealand’s National Bonsai Convention
At the NZ Bonsai Expo 2026, hosted by the Wellington Bonsai Club
Lead Demonstrator: Jonas Dupuich
Our Show provides an opportunity for members of the public to view our club’s best bonsai trees showcased in our annual show. The trees, from Maples to Pohutukawa and Kowhai to Larch are divided into different styles e.g. group plantings on a slab, root over rock, miniature trees, cascades and native trees and are judged by the last year’s winner. As well as the trees themselves, there are the bonsai pots and stands (both local and from overseas) and companion plants to view.
Our members will be on hand to discuss the merits of the various trees, their age and styling, what type of tree makes the best bonsai and where to obtain the plant material, details of bonsai classes and also provide details of our club. Members of the public will be asked to vote for the tree of their choice. There will also be raffles.
The Show is open to the public from 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. on Sunday.
Bonsai a Living Art Form - Demonstration & Talk
Presented by Otago Bonsai Society as part of Garden Otepoti
Information Centre, Dunedin Botanic Garden
Information and tickets available at: https://go-dunedin.nz
A curated exhibition of bonsai by
Sean Heseltine, Mark Fredric and Ludwig Jansen.
Celebrating the knowledge, artistry and expertise passed down by those who came before us, with special recognition to Joy Morton's enduring contribution to bonsai teaching and practice in New Zealand.
Hamilton Gardens Pavilion from 9am each day.
Bonsai Display plus a range of traders selling pots, trees, tools etc.
FREE BONSAI DEMONSTRATION
Come and discover the art of Bonsai - Limited spaces so booking required.
Phillipstown Hub Room 3: 29 August 10:00-11:30AM
Christchurch
About our tutor:
Sean Heseltine is a New Zealand Bonsai Society listed demonstrator based in Otago.
He is the Immediate Past President of the Otago Bonsai Society, and has studied Bonsai for over 20 years.
His collection includes a number of National Convention prize winners.
Charged Workshops 29, 30 August
ABS Members: $55, Non-members: $75*
*Includes one year ABS membership
Learn as a small group with one-on-one time with Sean in one of our workshops :
Workshop 1: Phillipstown Hub Room 3: 29 August 12:30-3:45pm
Workshop 2: Phillipstown Hub Room 3: 30 August 10:00-1:15pm
AABC’s annual Bonsai Convention hosted in Tasmania
Otago Bonsai Society Exhibition
3 - 5 April 2026
Sales | Raffle | Bonsai Information
Dunedin Community Gallery
Princes Street, Dunedin.
Entry $5 (Children Free)
Exhibiting at the Rotorua Home & Garden Show
20 - 22 February 2026
Bonsai Display, Demonstration & Sales
Prizes, beginners presentation and People’s Choice competition
Hamilton Gardens Pavilion from 9am each day.
Bonsai Display plus a range of traders selling pots, trees, tools etc.
At the Botanical Expo at the Lincoln Event Centre.
The expo is open 1.00 – 5.00 Saturday and 10.00 – 4.00 Sunday.
The New Plymouth Bonsai Club meets at the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind in New Plymouth twice per month: at 7pm on the second Thursday and again at 1:30pm on the last Sunday.
Join the Bay of Plenty Bonsai Society at 1pm on the last Sunday of every month to come see what New Zealand bonsai is all about.
Newbies always more than welcome.
Manawatu Bonsai meets at the Community Leisure Centre in Palmerston North at 7pm on the third Thursday of each month.
Pop into a Rotorua Bonsai Club catch-up to learn about the art of bonsai in New Zealand. Catch-ups are on the second Sunday of each month, at 2pm. Phone for meeting location: Neil 021 191 3617 or Selwyn 07 348 5353
Join the Hamilton Bonsai Club for their monthly catch-ups at 2pm on the second Sunday of each month.
Newbies always more than welcome.
The Blenheim Bonsai Group gets together once a month at the Selmes Nursery. Meetings are at 1pm on the second Sunday of each month. Come along to get a taste of New Zealand bonsai and expand your knowledge!
Join the Auckland Bonsai Society for their monthly catch-ups at 7:30pm on the second Thursday of each month (Except January).
Newbies always more than welcome.
The New Plymouth Bonsai Club meets at the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind in New Plymouth twice per month: at 7pm on the second Thursday and again at 1:30pm on the last Sunday.
The Christchurch Bonsai Society meets at 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month except January. Meetings are held at Cotswold Preschool in Bishopdale, Christchurch. If you are new to bonsai and looking to learn more about how to take care of your bonsai trees in New Zealand, please feel free to come along to a club meeting! Newbies are welcome.
The Hawkes Bay Bonsai Society meets at the Clive Community Church Hall in Napier on the second Wednesday of each month. Come along to learn about bonsai in New Zealand.
The Wellington Bonsai Club meets at the Hutt Valley Tramping Club Rooms in Lower Hutt at 1pm on the first Sunday of each month (except January).
The South Canterbury Bonsai Society meets at 7:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month, excluding December and January. Meetings are held at the Arts Centre in Timaru. We welcome anyone interested to study bonsai in New Zealand to come along.
The Avon Bonsai Society meets at 7:30pm on the first Wednesday of each month, at Isleworth School Hall in Bishopdale, Christchurch.
The Otago Bonsai Society meets at Mercy Hall in South Dunedin on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 7:30pm. Come along to see what training bonsai trees in New Zealand is all about; newbies are welcome.
The Nelson Bonsai Club meets in two locations throughout the year, at 7:30pm on the first Monday of each month (except public holidays).
From April to August, the club meets at Stoke Hall in Nelson; from September to March, the club meets at Nikau Gardens, Nelson.
The New Plymouth Bonsai Club meets at the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind in New Plymouth twice per month: at 7pm on the second Thursday and again at 1:30pm on the last Sunday.
Come along to learn from a free, live demonstration by members of the Otago Bonsai Society!
Beginners are very welcome, and assistance and advice will be available to anyone wanting to pick up some suitable products to get you started with your own beautiful bonsai.
As an added bonus, all attendees get 15% any purchase from Garden Place on the day :)
The Gore Bonsai Society meets monthly during February to November, excluding May and June. Meetings are held at 1:30pm on the third Sunday of each month. Email Lisa for location.
Manawatu Bonsai meets at the Community Leisure Centre in Palmerston North at 7pm on the third Thursday of each month.
