FEATURE INTERVIEW
Outstanding in the field Fresh faces and the next generation of horticulturists Julia Watson interviews
Jonathan Parr, Apprentice Gardener, Auckland Botanic Gardens
We have a new generation of gardeners making their way in their horticulture careers and I wanted to find out more about their thoughts on working in this industry. In this interview, I speak to Jonathan Parr who is in his second year of a three-year apprenticeship at the Auckland Botanic Gardens; Jonathan shares his thoughts on the job and the botanic gardens industry.
Jonathan Parr
When did your interest in horticulture start, and what has your career/study path been so far? When I was at school I was interested in science, and I went into biology at university – it all started there. I got a part-time job picking up rubbish at a local beach over the summer and then joined their horticultural team while studying biological science at university. But while I was studying, I couldn’t see how my studies were going to affect anyone, or be able to see my work and say ‘I did that’. So one day at university a lecturer advertised a three-month summer student role at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, which I applied for and got. I really enjoyed the role and didn’t want to go back to university! Then a three-year apprentice role came up and I applied for it. When I got it, I dropped out of university the very next day. The stars aligned! My dad is in the horticulture/parks industry but it took a bit of convincing for my parents to get used to the idea. I was quite adamant (even though I was at the tail end of my studies).
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THE BOTANIC GARDENer | ISS 51 NOVEMBER 2018
