Kua Rima Tau Te Kaupapa Māra Kai | Celebrating Five Years of the Kai Garden Training Programme

In 2024, our Kai Garden Training Programme in Tāmaki Makaurau celebrates its 5th birthday. Kai Garden Coordinator Liz Willis shares more about the training programme.

Liz stands facing the Kai Garden. Various plants are blossoming and flowering, and the vegetables are lush and green — Liz surveys the Kai Garden

Why did the Kai Garden Training Programme start?

The programme started in 2019 to give tāngata whai ora the opportunity to gain horticulture and other skills while working in the Kai Garden – a living classroom – on the Te Auripo site in Avondale.

Who can join the training?

Tāngata whai ora in Tāmaki Makaurau at Adult, Family Centre, and Te Wairau Royal Oak services. Participants can join the formal training and opt for five to 10-week training sessions. In 2024 the 50th trainee joined our formal training programme.

Weekly group sessions are also run at Adult Services and the Family Centre. More than 120 tāngata whai ora take part in group sessions over a year.

Liz holds a white strawberry. Her hands are in the foreground and the plant is in the background — Liz holds a white strawberry

What need does the training programme fulfil and what are the therapeutic outcomes?

It offers tāngata whai ora opportunities to enhance their recovery capital (personal, social, and community capital) through connection with nature and providing positive learning experiences.

Tāngata whai ora develop:

• Enhanced wellbeing through time in nature and social connections through gardening.

• Skills in growing and harvesting kai using regenerative non-spray techniques.

• Increased confidence through setting and achieving goals.

• Work readiness skills and a reference for their CV.

• Confidence to apply for work/ training opportunities.

The training programme also supports tāngata whai ora to build greater connections with cultural

and whānau traditions.

What relationships have developed from this initiative?

We have always had amazing support from Odyssey kaimahi in the service teams. We’re grateful for funding from Foundation North, and in the past Kai Whau, and for the support of Kelmarna Community Farm and EcoMatters. It’s also exciting to be building a relationship with Pourewa, Ngāti Whātua Orākei’s māra kai and native nursery.

One of the vege beds, with views to the East

What is the most rewarding or significant aspect of the training programme?

Absolutely the reaction of tāngata whai ora. Growing is a superpower that supports self-sufficiency and wellbeing. For some it sparks childhood memories. For others it’s a new experience. To hear a trainee say they gained both kai growing and ‘life’ learnings to aid their recovery is fantastic.