Wildflowers of the Manawatu

As a wildflower enthusiast and keen amateur botanist, Arthur Bennett aims to capture, and convey to a wider audience, the pleasure that can be had from observing wildflowers.

Immigrating to New Zealand almost 60 years ago, Bennett admits that, although he has put down roots and acclimatised, he will never be regarded as a native. He finds a parallel in the plants that have colonized the nooks and crannies of our urban environment. Some of these plants have been here for hundreds of years, but are often regarded as weeds. The author aims to change this attitude, and encourages the admiration of introduced plants for their resilience and adaptability, as well as an appreciation of their beauty.