The four-day annual Pacific Rose Bowl Festival is on next week at the Rogers Rose Garden at Hamilton Gardens, and as usual public votes will decide the top new roses from the New Zealand Rose of the Year Trial.
Unlike most other rose competitions around the world which are judged by experts, the New Zealand Rose of the Year has been judged by the public since 2004.
The Pacific Rose Bowl Festival takes place under the Pacific Accord of Friendship. Legendary New Zealand rose breeder Dr Sam McGredy initiated the friendship affiliation with the common objective of promoting roses worldwide.