Dargaville is set to have its own community garden, promoting the concept of food resilience and helping to inspire a community approach to kai collaboration
“The initial idea is to establish a community garden that’s accessible to everyone. While it may not be big enough on its own to feed the entirety of Dargaville — it can serve as an example,” said Kumarani Productions manager Tania Whetū. “We can use it as a space to educate people about what works and how easy it is.”
The garden is another example of the Kumarani team moving beyond the space of performance art, for which they have become well known, and assisting with outreach programmes. It will follow the success of other community garden projects in Kaipara towns such as Paparoa and Mangawhai.
Planning for the garden will take place at a community kai swap and seedling swap event that celebrates Neighbours Day. Tania says that with Covid-19 concerns currently high and some people being forced to self-isolate, having strong bonds with neighbours is very relevant. “Food resilience is a trend we see all over New Zealand and around the world. Sharing with each other is a big part of this,” says Tania.
“If people would like to be involved in the seedling swap or kai exchange, now is the time to make plans, sprout seeds and get ready.”
On March 26, between 10am and 2pm, the Kumarani Creative Centre on Onslow Street, opposite Selwyn Park, Dargaville, will be the site for the kai and seed swap, timed to coincide with the autumnal equinox. Right now, melons, squash and other produce are abundant. Tania suggests that this is a good way to stock the pātaka free of charge, curbing costof-living inflation.
The Kumarani Facebook page is also running a competition to find the biggest, weirdest, funniest and most artistic vegetables grown around town. It’s free to upload a photo and enter. “Those who want to be involved in the community garden project should definitely come along on the day.
“We will be making plans, and we’re grateful for expertise from experienced gardeners, donations of tools, time and material.
“Initially, we’re looking at turning the green strips down the sides of the Kumarani Centre’s front lawn into gardens, but there could be expansions in the future.”
With a green light from the generous landlords of the Onslow Street centre, the model garden will soon be up and growing, allowing those who wish to embark on their own food resilience projects to observe, ask questions and take notes.
Then there’s the obvious benefit to come; hopeful big harvests to be shared with the community. Those who are keen to get involved, or wish to suggest crops that will benefit the community garden, should contact the Kumarani team on the day or volunteer their assistance by calling 09 439 5152.
March 1st 2022
Author Andy Bryenton - Kaipara Lifestyler