Membership
Members garden a small plot and the communal areas and meet up at the working bees and events.
Membership rules:
Respect for all users of the garden and acknowledgement of Māori as original guardians of the land
Indigenous New Zealand plants and creatures are treasures
Weeds for some people may be other peoples loved plants
No chemical poisons
Participation in communal activities is encouraged, and this can be small or big across gardening, community and administration tasks
Care for the neighbourhood and the section
How to be a Member
Come to a Meetup and Gardening Session - usually on Saturday afternoon at 1pm
Contact the coordinator via email and arrange a time to meet.
Membership is free for the first year.
About Our Community Garden
Community gardening sessions 1pm - 3pm the first Saturday of each month
Karori Community Garden is a space that brings together locals of all ages. The garden is made up of people who love cultivating garden space, creating a community spirit, and learning about plants.
Sustainability & Permaculture
Karori Community Garden has a goal of being sustainable and organic with a permaculture philosophy. This philosophy is based on nature where all things have a role to play in the health of a community. Exploring methods of gardening from mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) is part of this journey. The garden guidelines acknowledge Māori as the original guardians of the land. Karori Community Garden is in the process of being a charitable trust. Membership is free for the first year and involves a registration process.
Connecting
Karori Community Garden has regular gardening sessions most Saturdays from 1pm and often on Tuesday morning. This progresses and maintains the garden and is a chance for people to meet and learn from each other about how to grow food and plants. Other working bee's are called sometimes for projects. Workshops and community events happen from time to time especially in warmer months. There is an active facebook group and instagram account .
Our Gardening Family
Who We Are
Paul Stevenson
Founder
Lisa Maule
Coordinator
Philip, Anh & Ha
Gardeners
History
Founding
The Karori Community Garden was started in 2015 by a group of people who asked community minded Paul Stevenson to find a space. Paul added this to his other community work with gusto, found the current site and negotiated with the Stewards Trust for the grassy patch behind the small hall to be turned into a community garden with garden beds, composting, a shed and fruit trees. The corner site on Beauchamp and Lewer Street was perfect - sunny, flat and central.
Many individuals and groups have used the garden since it began. Paul organised productive working bees for local groups such as a English learning class, schools, Scouts and Girl Guides. Members and coordinators of the garden are all volunteers.
Currently
Lisa Maule took over in March 2020 just before New Zealand went into Level 4 Lockdown in response to the global Covid 19 pandemic. She has written a blog about these early weeks.
The founding philosophy of openness and inclusivity remains a core part of the Karori Community Garden. We have a waiting list for plots and people can start to garden straight way in the communal areas.
We encourage community members of all ages to join us as partners, sponsors, or volunteers. We’d love to see you at one of our events.