2025 International Award of Honor

Gus Evans

Gus grew up in Silverstream Wellington. His grandfather and mother were both keen gardeners and
so Gus had an early introduction into horticulture, especially growing and tending plants within an
urban garden.

Gus left school to start an apprenticeship with the Lower Hutt City Council Parks and Reserves
Department specializing in Nursery Production in 1970. Once he finished his apprenticeship in 1974
he move on to the Upper Hutt City Council Parks and Reserves Department working in their nursery.
He then successfully attained the Head Gardeners job at Todd Motors Porirua which he held for nine
years.

After taking voluntary redundancy from Todd Motors he decided he needed some land to pursue his
own venture in horticulture, which was to start a Nursery. In November 1983 Gus acquired a one acre
section at 12 Utauta Street Waikanae. Although he had other contract work during this time he
started establishing Gus Evans Nursery and building a reputation for suppling good plants along with
good advice. One of the contacts he held during this time was with the Kapiti Coast Council where he
was responsible for looking after the reserves around Waikanae.

Eventually the Nursery could support his full time attention and along with Glenys they worked as a
team growing a wide range of plants for the lower North Island Wholesale and Retail markets.

Gus was famous for plants, especially his swan plants and people used to travel a distance to have
their personal service and advice for all plants being able to find the right plant for the right site and
remedies for the plants not performing so well.

After nearly 40 years the decision was made to close Gus Evans Nursery and the last trading day was
the 10th of December 2021. Time to retire and do all the things he couldn’t do while working six and a
half days a week at the Nursery. He still does grow and tend for some plants but by choice, as his
love of plants and growing them hasn’t waned.

Gus has been a long-time member of both RNZIH (Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture) and
IPPS (International Plant Propagators’ Society).

Gus joined IPPS in 1974, 2 years after its inception in New Zealand while New Zealand Region was
still a “Chapter at Large”.

Gus served on the committee in 1977 and was again on the committee in 1982, 1983, 1984. In 1985
and 1986 he was the Second Vice President. In 1986 IPPS New Zealand went through some difficult
financial times and Gus went in as Treasurer to sort things out and steady the ship. He continued in
this role until 1989.

In 2005 Gus received the New Zealand IPPS “John Follett Award”. This award is for Significant
Contribution to New Zealand IPPS over a number of years.

In 2016 Gus received the New Zealand IPPS “President’s Award”. This award is for continued service
to New Zealand IPPS behind the scenes.

Gus has attended every New Zealand Conference since 1974. That is 50 consecutive Conferences!

Gus has also attended almost all the Field Trips organised by New Zealand IPPS over the last 50
years. Gus has travelled Internationally to participate in other IPPS Regions’ Conferences as well
as International Tours.

Gus is just one of those guys that is always there to help. If something needs doing Gus will do it and
you can consider it done. He has helped with Conferences on the organizing committees, he has
helped and organized Field Trips, has helped and lead Workshops, represented IPPS at Trade day
and always stands up to help with Auctions or for a vote of thanks when it is called for.

One little fact is that Gus is always first to register for each Conference or Field Days. This just shows
the dedication of the man. Gus is all about “people and plants”. Gus just loves IPPS and lives for this
organisation.

He loves to share his knowledge and experiences in growing and caring for plants and also is
interested in hearing others’ experiences and knowledge.

IPPS is all about “Seeking and Sharing” the knowledge and skills of the production of plants.

Gus Evans is a living example of “Exceptional and Distinguished Service to IPPS” and has lived out our
moto for the duration of the last 50 Years. “Seek and Share”