Growing your own kai is about far more than saving money. It brings people together, builds practical skills and helps communities become more resilient. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Your West Support Fund, Te Whare Tipu will strengthen its growing network across West Auckland. More whānau, schools and community gardens can now access affordable seedlings, practical education and hands-on support.
Te Whare Tipu is a collective of eight community-growing organisations working across South, Central and West Auckland, based at The ReCreators site in Massey. Partners include Triangle Park Community Teaching Garden, Te Piringatahi o te Maungārongo marae, the Regeneration Army and several others.
‘Together we share a vision of kai sovereignty – empowering communities to grow, harvest and celebrate their own food, while building skills and resilience for future generations,’ says The ReCreators Founder and Chief Upcycler Geraldine Tew. She says the funding will help cover the essential operational costs that keep the growing spaces running, including rent, water, irrigation and volunteer support.
While these behind-the-scenes expenses may not be visible, they are critical to ensuring thousands of seedlings can be grown and distributed to local communities. ‘Without these foundations, we simply can’t do what we do best – growing kai, sharing knowledge and supporting our communities,’ says Geraldine. At the moment, winter vegetables like spinach, lettuce and spring onions are flourishing. Beyond producing seedlings, Te Whare Tipu is creating spaces where people can learn lifelong growing skills. The collective brings together expertise in rongoā Māori, organic fertilisers, irrigation, composting, and regenerative growing practices, including the use of black soldier fly compost systems to improve soil health.
With its day-to-day costs covered, the network plans to expand its programme of workshops, working bees and knowledge-sharing sessions, giving more people the confidence to grow their own food while connecting with experienced growers. The collective also takes steps to protect its seedlings from theft, ensuring they reach the schools, community gardens and whānau they are intended for. ‘Investing in Te Whare Tipu is helping more than gardens flourish. It’s also about growing stronger communities, healthier whānau and a more food-secure future for West Auckland,’ says Geraldine.
To learn more, visit the Te Whare Tipu Facebook page or drop into The ReCreators site at 135 Chamberlain Road on Friday mornings to join Ellen for a community gardening session.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
