Auckland Botanic Gardens unearths Tangled Roots exhibition

Think grass is boring? Think again. This summer, Auckland Botanic Gardens is setting the record straight with Tangled Roots, a unique and diverse exhibition that proves the humble grass family and humanity have long been deeply entangled.

From mid-November, Aucklanders will get to witness Tangled Roots firsthand as it unearths the unlikely connection between the grass family and humans. Discover the astonishing links between grasses – like wheat, rice and maize – and everything from the rise of civilisations and the Great Pyramids, to breakfast and even house cats.

Experience the exhibition in full through history, culture, ecology and art with engaging and interactive displays, fun workshops and events for the whole whānau, quirky storytelling and the chance to spot UK artist Ashley Peevor’s Grassman - a performance art piece featuring a living grass costume grown onsite at the Auckland Botanic Gardens nursery.

Greg Meylan, Auckland Botanic Gardens’ Visitor Services Project Coordinator and Lead Curator, says an exhibition like this brings a touch of fun and whimsy for Aucklanders and he hopes it will elevate the grass family to its rightful position in history, while encouraging a connection to nature.

“Grasses cover 40 per cent of Earth’s land and make up over half of the human diet! We’ve got a deep-rooted history together and yet most people pass it by without a second thought,” says Meylan.

“This is an epic underdog story when it comes to the plant world, one we’re excited to share with Aucklanders through this exhibition, which is part natural history, part cultural exploration, and part summer festival — all rooted in grass. You won’t regret stopping by and you certainly won’t look at the grass family in the same way.”

"We are absolutely thrilled to bring Grassman to Oceania for the first time through our partnership with Ashley Peevor,” says Micheline Newton, Manager Visitor Services.

“We’ve grown a giant, yeti-like creature out of grass right here in our nursery and we can't wait to share this with Aucklanders – it's nature personified and it's guaranteed to bring a smile and connect people with nature in a truly unique way.”

Tangled Roots kicks off with a free launch event on Saturday 15 November that will feature Grassman, a live performance of bamboo angklug instruments by the Sabilulungan Family Auckland, a ‘make your own grass friend’ workshop, grounded mindfulness sessions and more. The exhibition, which continues until 1 March 2026, comes with exciting complimentary events post launch, like yoga on the grass, expert talks on living roofs and fun hands-on workshops.