From grass bank to food forest at Pasadena Intermediate

With support from the Albert-Eden Local Board's Environmental Work Programme, students, staff, whānau and community supporters have been working together to create a 400m² food forest that will provide fresh fruit, learning opportunities and a lasting resource for future generations.

In spring 2025 students began transforming a grassy bank, propagating hundreds of plants from seeds and cuttings. They also collected lunch scraps and local green waste to make compost, building healthy soil for the food forest. A cover crop was planted in 2026 to help improve the soil further, getting the site ready for fruit trees.

In September 2026, that preparation paid off when 150 students joined parents, whānau and community partners for a major planting day. Together they planted 60 fruit trees, including mandarins, bananas, apples and pears, along with a range of support species.

The trees were carefully chosen so fruit would ripen during the school year rather than over the summer holidays, allowing students to enjoy the harvest themselves.

Lead teacher Dylan Wiggill says the project has generated strong support from across the community:

“The project has had such an immense energy around it, and it has been fantastic to see it gain traction, with so many external stakeholders involved, interested and invested."

“The Local Board has been a powerhouse for this project; without their support, there is no way we would be at the stage we are at right now. The planting day was a massive success, and it has been so wonderful to see our kura buzzing with sustainable action!”

Albert-Eden Local Board Chair Margi Watson says the project reflects the board’s commitment to supporting practical, community-led climate action initiatives:

“This food forest shows how climate action can start right here in our schools. The Albert-Eden Local Board is proud to support a project that reduces waste, strengthens local food resilience, enhances biodiversity, and gives young people the opportunity to lead positive environmental change in their community.”

While the trees are still young, the long-term vision is clear. For years to come, the food forest will be an outdoor classroom and living resource for all types of learning, where students become growers of their own healthy, sustainable kai.

Grow climate action

• Read more about the people growing food forests across Tāmaki Makaurau.
• Find out how Auckland Council supports Sustainable Schools.
• Find a group near you on the Community Groups Map.

More from Albert-Eden

Read how Pasadena Intermediate students raced across Albert-Eden by bus and train in the Climate Action Adventure Race.

Pictured in top image: Students Czipporah Tauaika and Chanell Xu