G3. North Point

116 Mangati Rd, Bell Block

Small community garden

Join hosts John and Diana at Northpoint Community Garden, located at the end of the church carpark. The garden showcases a variety of vegetables, citrus, stone fruit, vines, nuts and herbs.  See uses for pallets, and ideas for collecting rainwater and garden storage. Learn about the Kōia Green Prescription, participate in kids' activities or join in the gardening sessions 9am-12pm on Saturdays.

Seedlings for sale. Kids activities.

Open hours:

• 31 Oct - 2 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Fri - Sun)

• 7 - 9 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Fri - Sun)

9. MAGPIE'S REST

140 York Rd, Huirangi

Large backyard

Jo-anne and Allan's 5 hectare self-sufficient property has extensive vegetable gardens, orchards, heritage chickens and livestock. Heritage plants are left to self-seed and provide for next season. Throughout is a reuse first philosophy—homemade tumble compost bins, a glasshouse from windows, and climbing frames and shelving from pallet wood. Check out techniques for preserving produce too.

Bike parking. Toilets available. Dog friendly.

Open hours:

• 31 Oct between 1pm - 6pm (Fri)

• 1 - 2 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Sat- Sun)

• 7 Nov between 1pm - 6pm (Fri)

• 8 - 9 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Sat - Sun)

10. MUD BUCKET FARM

219 Brown Rd, Brixton

Medium backyard

Peter and Bronwyn have spent nearly two years transforming their two-acre property into an organised, visually pleasing sustainable backyard. A potager-style garden surrounds the chicken coop, the garden’s centrepiece, flowing into a food forest and orchard. Guided by maramataka and permaculture principles, they built everything themselves, incorporating existing fruit trees and ensuring all new plantings are edible. Their space features diverse gardens—including vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers, nuts, subtropicals, and a hothouse—with plans to expand further.

Seedlings for sale. Bike parking. Toilets available.

Open hours:

• 31 Oct - 2 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Fri - Sun)

• 7 - 9 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Fri - Sun)

11. BLUE CYPRESS HAVEN

91 Centennial Ave, Waitara

Small backyard

Peter and Cathy's vision is the implementation of permaculture principles and sustainability in a compact 300m2 urban backyard garden. Applying space saving techniques from their 10 years in Japan, they’ve developed an incredibly productive and efficient garden. Hot compost, espaliered fruit trees, raised-beds, quail for meat and eggs, beekeeping, greenhouse, hothouse, a dedicated berry garden, herb garden, solar power, water collection, recycled materials, and lots of enthusiasm.

Seedlings for sale. Bike parking. Wheelchair access.

Open hours:

• 31 Oct - 3 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Fri - Mon)

• 5 - 9 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Wed - Sun)

12. MĀRA KAI

6 Moutt St, Waitara

Medium backyard

Kate and Finn started their ever-evolving labour of love five years ago. Māra Kai combines food production and sustainability while maintaining visual aesthetics. Explore their kitchen garden, cut-flower patch, food forest, tropicals, and greenhouse. Understand the benefits of rain-water catchment, chickens, worm farms and multiple compost bins. The property hopes to show other young families what can be achieved on an urban section. 

Seedlings for sale. Wheelchair access.

Open hours:

• 1 - 2 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Sat - Sun)

• 8 - 9 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Sat - Sun)

G4. ST JOHN'S COMMUNITY GARDEN

41 Domett St, Waitara

Small community garden

The St John's Community Garden is run by Waitara Foodbank Pātaka Kai and is a recycle and reuse focused māra. The garden is run with the philosophy of connection through people, education and whenua rather than the produce itself. Swing by for a cuppa and to take part in daily activities run by Amy and the team.  

Open hours:

• 31 Oct - 9 Nov between 10am - 2pm (everyday)

13. TE RAU O RONGO

640 Inland North Rd, Onaero

Large backyard

Pounamu and whānau will show you around Te Rau o Rongo, a 5-acre Māori food farm whose kaupapa is all about the multiple ways to heal. Te Rau o Rongo upholds the principles of Hua Parakore and is an educational space for empowering whānau to grow kai. Abundant and self-sufficient, the property features vegetable and herb gardens, a tunnel house, fruit orchard, berry house, rainwater collection systems, a native tree nursery, an onsite apothecary, and is home to both hens and sheep.

Open hours:

• 1 - 2 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Sat - Sun)

• 8 - 9 Nov between 10am - 4pm (Sat - Sun)