Growing Gardens and Communities - Manawatū

28/04/2026

This Wednesday (tomorrow) 10-11:30 we have a tree pruning Wānanga at 42 Pembroke street, Highbury, Palmerston North

(Stonefruit) come along, learn, help 🙏🌳🌱

24/02/2026

RECAP Summer Pruning Workshop 2026

A hands on, practical workshop covering best practice for pruning fruit trees in the summer for optimal next season fruiting and tree health. You can put what you've learnt immediately into action on the orchards fruit trees with expert guidance from two experienced tutors. All welcome from beginners, to those who have attended in the past and need a refresher. Postponement date: Saturday March 7th.

Registrations can be made at https://recap.org.nz

09/02/2026

Learning Bites launch
Kia ora e te whānau,

As supermarket prices skyrocket and climate-fuelled weather events disrupt our delicate food systems, it is now more important than ever to strengthen climate resilience in our communities. One way we can do this is by protecting and connecting with the whakapapa of our kai.

That is why Para Kore is excited to announce a new webinar series all about protecting kai, kicking off with the topic ‘Preserving Kai’ this Wednesday 11th of February at 11am. Join hosts Arohanui West, Shirley Simmonds and Matt Peryman to learn all about traditional and modern preservation methods, as well as a live demonstration on how to make Kamokamo pickle at home - a delish way to use up your excess kamokamo.

If you are interested, I'll send you an email where you can register for free.

02/02/2026

Every Bite: Small Changes, Big Impact on Food Waste in Aotearoa

This year, we will be delivering the Every Bite Program—a practical, community‑driven initiative designed to shift behaviour on food waste and help households build new habits that last.

“A lot of us tend to underestimate how much food we actually waste, and there is a lack of public awareness of how our behaviours impact food systems and lead to environmental degradation. Whilst most people declare that wasting food feels wrong, the complexity of our food systems combined with busy lives make it challenging to see how much food we do waste and build new habits to address this,” says Every Bite’s project manager, Rachel Glaiser.

“This is why Every Bite was developed: to build a community of people making small but practical changes that over time will see a big impact. It is a model based on the zero waste hierarchy that prioritises preventing food waste in the first place rather than reducing it once it is created.”

02/02/2026

Want to learn how to prune fruit trees in the summer? check this out.

A hands on, practical workshop covering best practice for pruning fruit trees in the summer for optimal next season fruiting and tree health. You can put what you've learnt immediately into action on the orchards fruit trees with expert guidance from two experienced tutors. All welcome from beginner...

25/12/2025

Reduce Your Footprint: Save Water This Summer! 🌿
Water is precious – and saving it doesn’t have to be hard. Try these simple tips:

🌱 In the Garden:
✅ Choose drought-tolerant plants
✅ Mulch to keep moisture in the soil
✅ Leave grass clippings on the lawn
✅ Reuse water from washing veggies or rice
✅ Collect rainwater for watering
✅ Wash vehicles on the lawn
✅ Use a trigger nozzle on hoses
✅ Water the soil, not the leaves – deeply, less often
✅ Water early morning or evening to reduce evaporation

🏠 Inside the House:
✅ Install low-flow shower heads & tap aerators
✅ Run dishwasher & laundry only on full loads
✅ Use water-saving modes on appliances
✅ Add a brick or bottle in the toilet cistern for a half-flush
✅ Short showers (5–7 mins) or turn off while soaping
✅ Turn off taps when brushing teeth
✅ Fix leaks immediately
Small changes = big impact! 🌍

11/12/2025

Palmy Crop Swap is this Sunday 1:30-2:30pm at Awapuni Community Centre 22 Newbury Street.

25/11/2025

For the first time, a report has measured just how much is thrown away or lost across the entire food chain.

11/11/2025

11/11/2025

🏡 Healthier Home, Healthier You - Sustainable Living Workshop Series

Tips, info and advice on ways to keep your home warm, dry, and energy-efficient—while improving your health and saving on costs.

📅 17th November
🕙 Monday, 10am–12 midday
📍 Palmerston North City Library

🔗 Book now: https://enm.infoodle.com/form_process?g=c8e4b952-0786-4861-bcf2-d59ae90f678b