A new community garden based at Aurora College was blessed in a special ceremony today. 

Te Maara o te Mūranga a Rangi me te Hapori will incorporate a community garden, maara kai and food forest and aims to provide the community surrounding Aurora College with more than just a source of nutritious food. 

A blessing included a mauri stone ceremony, karakia and afternoon tea. 

The initiative, a collaboration between Aurora College, Waihōpai Rūnaka, Ngā Hau e Whā Inc and Active Southland’s Healthy Families Invercargill team will also bring the community together, create a greater connection with the natural environment and develop skills. 

Aurora College principal Robyn Hickman said the garden initiative was an important way to support the school and wider community. 

“This garden will not only provide healthy kai for our students, their families, and the wider community, it will also provide educational opportunities for our students and support pathways into careers such as horticulture or environmental science,” she said. 

“However, we believe the foundation for success of Te Maara is taking a te ao Māori perspective and incorporating mātauranga Māori. We are thrilled to work with Waihōpai Rūnaka and Ngā Hau e Whā to ensure the continuation of Māori traditional practices and the passing down of values to children and grandchildren and generations to come.” 

Aurora College students will take part in garden activities linked to the school curriculum. 

Mātauranga Māori will be elevated and used to underpin wellbeing and cultural understanding for Māori and non-Māori. 

The garden will also be a community space, with volunteering, workshops, events and a range of activities to support wellbeing. 

Healthy Families Invercargill systems innovator Rochelle Francis-Barr said community insights showed access to good food was a significant concern in Invercargill, and knowledge and skills were often not passed down through generations. 

“Rising costs and availability of affordable healthy kai are big issues. Families may be time poor or lack the resources, knowledge and skills. Some landlords won't allow tenants to have a vegetable garden. It takes a particular set of skills to cook meals from scratch,” she said. 

“Te Maara’s ultimate vision is to see our whole community fed. Our project team are passionate and deeply committed to our kaupapa. No-one in our community should go hungry.” 

Article added: Friday 08 July 2022