Gardening is probably one of the popular things to do for those who are above 40, especially the retired. A house with a garden that is not very well looked after is reason for shame, as well as devaluing the house, and for that reason the market in the landscape continues to grow. Hiring someone just to take care of the garden is only for the very rich, which is a minority. In the old days the woman looked after the garden, but now it has turned into a unisex activity. Shops that sell gardening equipment and products are very busy during the weekends. Gardens and the weather have some things in common. Apart from one needing the other, both are national obsessions. It can be seem in most NZ towns, as if the mayor doesn’t not build and maintain good gardens in the towns, he/she will probably not be re-elected. When you travel to any town, the first thing that you will notice are streets very well maintained, with all grass nicely cut, no rubbish on the streets, and you will see many gardens spread across the town.