How kai gardens strengthen our communities
Māra kai and kai gardens re amazing local examples of how to build climate resilience, strengthen community wellbeing, and improve access to healthy, affordable food. Community gardens are cool ways to:
Community gardens & resilient kai
The kai resilience movement in Tāmaki Makaurau is gathering momentum.
As of 2025, there are 104 community gardens in the Auckland region, of which 44 are on council-owned parks and reserves. Fostering community gardens, and community gardeners, is important to Auckland Council.
Increase food resilience
Helping communities grow more of their own kai, become less dependent on distant or disrupted supply chains, and feel more confident about where their food comes comes from.
Lower greenhouse gas emissions
By cutting down “food miles,” encouraging low-waste habits like composting, and supporting more sustainable, climate-friendly food production.
Build social connection and local knowledge
Creating welcoming spaces where neighbours can meet, share skills, learn from one another, and take part in growing kai together, fostering long-term community empowerment.
Contribute to a healthy environment
Supporting soil health, improving biodiversity, creating habitats for pollinators, and helping people better understand their relationship with the natural world.
How you can get involved
Getting involved in a community garden is easy and rewarding.
1. Join an existing māra kai: search our Community Groups map
2. Volunteer at local working bees, or even start your own garden with friends and council support.
3. Start your own garden with at least five others and council support. Email our kai growing mailbox with queries: kaigrowing@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Whether you’re planning, planting, composting, swapping seeds or seedlings, or sharing your skills or the kai you’ve grown, every contribution builds more resilient Tāmaki Makaurau.
Tools & resources
News & Highlights
OUR AUCKLAND
Climate Action
11 Aug 2025
The kai resilience movement in Tāmaki Makaurau
Supporting locals to plant food forests and grow vegetables, protecting soil and reducing food-related emissions...
Community
Community
22 Jul 2024
Green Thumb Crew: Young Gardeners of Tupu
Meet one of the many groups of passionate young gardeners, responding to the call to combat climate change and actively champion sustainable living in Ōtara.
Community
Community
25 Apr 2024
Awhi Mai Te Atatū: Growing as a community
Behind a church in Te Atatū Peninsula, the site of an old unused playground is being transformed into a productive māra kai (food garden) for the community with funding from the Auckland Climate Grant.
OUR AUCKLAND
Community
27 Oct 2023
Garden initiatives in the community – sharing kai and knowledge
Struggling to make ends meet is stressful, particularly when food prices make essential staples such as fruit and vegetables a luxury item for many...