Pukekura Park curator Chris Connolly & fernery horticulturist Steve Curtis give the Pukekura Park fernery tour that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall missed because of weather & flight delays.

New Plymouth's Pukekura Park has retained its status as a high profile and high class public garden.

The park has been confirmed as Garden of National Significance for another three years, a rating its held since the national system started in 2004.

Curator Chris Connolly said the independent rating allowed the park to maintain its high profile among international visitors.

ANDY JACKSON/Fairfax NZ The 2015/16 season of the TSB Bank Festival of Lights at Pukekura Park.

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"We know just how special this park is.

"What this rating does is give the park more recognition nationally and internationally."

Home to the TSB Bank Festival of Lights, the central city park has been heralded as one of the jewels in New Plymouth's crown.

Pukekura Park was to host notable guests Prince Charles and wife Camilla for a tour of the fernery late last year, but a delayed flight saw that part of their New Plymouth visit cancelled.

In 2007, Pukekura Park emerged as the winner of the coveted 'Mayfair Place' spot on Hasbro's New Zealand Monopoly edition.

Taranaki has one six-star garden, Te Kainga Marire, in Merrilands, New Plymouth, and six five-star gardens; Pukekura Park, Hollard Gardens, Oakley Garden, Pukeiti, Puketarata Garden and Tupare.

According to the New Zealand Gardens' Trust who administers the ratings, a five-star garden achieves and maintains the highest levels of presentation, design and plant interest throughout the year.