Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor (right) discusses progress on the garden with Chinese Gardens Trust secretary-treasurer Malcolm Wong, while Dunedin South MP David Benson-Pope looks on. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
The 23 Chinese artisans working on the project, which began in February last year, are due to return to China in early May, but there would still be planting and tidying up to be done before the opening.
Among recent work at the gardens was the laying of intricate pebble tiling.
Mr Wong said even the drain covers had significance. Shaped like coins, water flowing into them would be symbolic of money going into the bank.
All materials used above ground at the garden, apart from electric cables and ducting, were from China, Mr Wong said.
