Garden organisation 
The garden continues to run as a cooperative, with the majority of work being voluntary. Funding from Kainga Ora has allowed us to pay for a half day per week of a garden manager and for a person to regularly manage the 3 large compost bins .

People are welcome at any time to work in the garden and the number and the total area of plots has quadrupled over the past 12 months. New plots are created by the lasagne method: after some initial clearing, cardboard is laid down to kill off weeds and then compost layered on top 

Garden tools are stored in a lockable shipping container, with this being open for use each Wednesday

People 
During the summer, there are around 10 people typically working and sharing in the garden on Wednesdays.  We provide seeds, seedlings, compost and garden tools to anyone wishing to use the garden.  

As well as individuals taking crops from their individual gardens, excess crops are shared with the Awatea kindergarten and made available to the day’s volunteers. 

A small group regularly attend from the Kenepuru Head Injuries Unit and they have their own small plot that they enjoy tending. 

Financial Donations 

⮚     Funding was received this year from Kainga Ora, to fund hours for a kaiwhakahaere and a compost manager, as well as educational events. 

⮚     Pelorus Trust provided $4,300 to purchase and install a tunnel house which was built in March. 

⮚     Wellington Community Fund provided $5,000 for a water tank, we're waiting for engineering advice to proceed.  In the meantime we've got two 1,000 water tanks that gravity feed the garden and composting area.

⮚     The Trust House Foundation provided $7,500 for a shipping container. 

 
Other Donations 
⮚     Food waste for the compost bins is collected each Wednesday from Titahi Bay Cafe, the Z petrol station on Mungavin Ave and the kindergarten 

⮚     A second hand garden shed (unfortunately blown over in a northwesterly gale in February) and a second water tank were received from local donors 

⮚     Water for the 2 x 1,000 litre tanks is provided from the kindergarten. 

⮚     Local arborist Dan Vukcevic provides chip/mulch supplies every 3 months, with private individuals donating garden waste to supplement the composting bins. 

⮚     Several individuals have donated new and used garden tools. 

 
Events held over the year 
Ø  Matariki:  A barbecue and sleepover in June. 

Ø  Spring equinox. After clearing hill over previous 3 months, including a working bee run by Mana Lions, planted out the hill with harakeke and renga renga. 

Ø  Creekfest:  We ran a stall at the annual Cannons Creek festival in November, giving away plants and seedlings to attendees. This was well received and two new regular volunteers were added to our community as a result of becoming aware of our activities. 

Ø  Autumn equinox. Celebratory lunch, with kindy kids coming down and planting out the new tunnel house and digging spuds. 

Projects completed 
⮚     Harakeke hill, cleared and planted 

⮚     Lockable shipping container purchased and installed 

⮚     Second hand garden shed shed installed although later demolished after being blown over by high winds. 

⮚     Tunnel house purchased and installed 

⮚     An additional 1000 litre tank for water supply installed 

Partnerships and memberships 
⮚     Awatea Kindergarten - a formal agreement to use the garden area was established during the year. 

⮚     Wesley Community informal sharing of knowledge and plants 

⮚     Ongoing support through donations and labour from Mana Lions and Rotary Porirua 

⮚     We have joined Hua Parakore and begun participating in the 2-monthly Zoom meetings.