Our history & mission
about the garden
The Te Puke Community Garden was established in 2011 by local resident Jenny Utting, whose vision was to create a shared space where people could grow food, connect with one another, and care for the environment. Jenny’s dedication to the garden and the wider community was recognised when she was named Te Puke Citizen of the Year.
The garden began at a site on Rangiuru Road, supported by volunteers and the Baptist Church. As the project grew, it became clear that a more central location was needed. Working alongside the council, the garden relocated to its current home near Jubilee Park, next to the New World carpark on Jocelyn Street.
Growing through the years
As the garden became established in its new home, Julie Gray took on a leading role in running and caring for the garden, helping to keep it productive and connected to the wider community.
Julie’s years of involvement included a particularly challenging period during the COVID-19 lockdowns. When restrictions meant that volunteers could no longer work in the garden as they normally would, Julie continued caring for the gardens herself, planting for the seasons ahead and making sure the produce continued to benefit the community.
She regularly took fresh produce to the local foodbank and also made surplus produce available for local people to help themselves. The garden continued to provide fresh food and a sense of community at a time when both were especially important.
Julie’s dedication helped carry the garden through this challenging period and ensured that the work of growing food for the community continued.
Today, the garden continues to flourish under the caring management of Angela Leigh, supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and community partners.
what is a community garden?
A community garden is more than a place to grow vegetables.
It is a shared space where people can come together to grow food, learn from one another, contribute their time and skills, and enjoy being outdoors.
Community gardens can look very different from one place to another. Some focus on individual growing plots, while others grow food collectively and share the harvest with the wider community.
At Te Puke Community Garden, our focus is on growing food for our community, sharing knowledge, caring for the environment, and creating opportunities for people to connect.
Where food and community grow
Our garden brings together people of different ages, backgrounds, and experiences around something simple: growing good food and doing good for our community.
The work we do in the garden has benefits beyond the vegetables we grow. Gardening provides opportunities to learn, spend time outdoors, improve wellbeing, meet new people, and develop practical skills.
We believe that when people work together, even small efforts can make a meaningful difference.
our vision:
We aim to be a vibrant and inclusive community space that: