Growing food together: the success story of Hāwera’s Community Garden only one year on!
Aerial view of the St Mary’s Community Garden located in Hāwera, Taranaki.
This is the “freshly new” St Mary’s Community Garden, a local community garden thriving as a haven where the local community connects with nature, grows their own produce, and builds strong bonds. This vibrant space embodies sustainable living, education, and community engagement, serving as an inspiring example in Hāwera and in Taranaki.
“You've transformed a lawn into a living, growing example of what can be grown, eaten and enjoyed in an otherwise unused space. Congratulations on the first year, may there be many more!!” Faith, a local gardener.
Established one year ago, this community garden has grown from a shared vision into a flourishing symbol of local pride. What was once a humble plot of land has transformed into a local garden teeming with diverse vegetables, herbs, flowers, a kai cupboard, and composting bays.
When asked why she likes to regularly help in the garden, Linda, a regular volunteer who comes on working bee days, states:
“It’s about gardening with other people and providing some food to those in need.”
Faith, a local gardener who lives within walking distance of the maara (garden) is inspired and amazed at the progress that has been made in this space in just one year. She says:
“I walk and drive past there fairly frequently and admire the growth, additions, improvements, and especially the care that has been poured into this project."
Over 40 people attended the one year anniversary of the local community garden
This local community garden shows the power of collective action and community resilience. It demonstrates how a shared commitment to environmental stewardship can transform a neighbourhood by nourishing both the land and the souls of those involved.
Working bees at the St Mary’s Community Garden are held every first Friday and the second Sunday of the month (1- 3 pm).
Visit the St Mary's Community Garden Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/StMarysCommunityGardenHawera
