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Case Studies

A story of plant travel
Brief Description
In 1829, London physician Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward conducted a simple experiment when he sealed a plant inside a glass container to see if it would survive. The experiment's success helped change the way plants were transported across the world, transforming gardens, ecosystems, and lives in... Read More
Format: Hardback
$8500
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A beautiful book for all who love plants and their stories

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In 1829, London physician Dr Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward conducted a simple experiment when he sealed a plant inside a glass container to see if it would survive. The experiment's success helped change the way plants were transported across the world, transforming gardens, ecosystems, and lives in the process.

Case Studies traces that story by pairing striking contemporary images of cased plants in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom with essays about the deeper implications of plant transfer. It considers not only the scientific and colonial ambitions that drove botanical exchange, but also its consequences: ecological disruption, the spread of invasive species, and the marginalisation of Indigenous knowledge systems.

Case Studies also gives space to other voices β€” those speaking to matauranga Maori, to tino rangatiratanga over native species, and to the ongoing work of conservation and reclamation. It is not only a record of historical movement, but also a reminder of the values and choices that continue to shape the land beneath our feet.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781991016959

Publisher: Massey University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 October 2025

Country: New Zealand

Imprint: Massey University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 35.0mm

Width: 220.0mm

Height: 300.0mm

Weight: 1200g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Mark Smith has been making photographs since the late 1970s. His work has appeared in many national and international publications, as well as galleries. Some of his favourite projects have been the Cake Poster Collective; the book Once Removed (on tour with Neil Finn); Person, Place and Animal, a solo show at Artis Gallery, Auckland; Green Man with Deborah Smith and John Reynolds at the Black Barn Gallery, Havelock North; and the book HomeGround with Simon Wilson about the Auckland City Mission’s city residence.

Felicity Jones has led a wide-ranging creative life as a musician, gardener and botanical artist. She came to her work as a floral design from an organic gardening background and is a strong advocate for sustainability, challenging the many environmentally damaging aspects of traditional floristry. In 2017 she instigated a collaborative project with Mark Smith which resulted in four exhibitions in New Zealand and also at the Pingyao International Photography Festival in Jinzhong, China.

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