We have partnered with Kāinga Ora, Sustainable Taranaki and WITT to deliver a pilot initiative enabling Kāinga Ora customers to access raised planter boxes and education on how to cultivate their own vegetables at home.
High school students studying joinery at WITT have been busy applying their carpentry skills to build the planter boxes. The students have found the project rewarding especially knowing that the boxes will be used in the community to grow food. Complete with soil and seedlings, we have now delivered our first planter boxes to Kāinga Ora residents. The project aims to continue to supply more boxes throughout the year and will provide regular check ins with participating residents and advice on new seasonal planting opportunities.
The initiative is an important connector to other community initiatives such as crops swaps and community gardens, helping to improve wellbeing and enhance local food resiliency.