Feeding a community, from the ground up

by Metropol | July 22, 2026 8:33 am

On Seadown Crescent in Amberley, a once-empty green space is being transformed into something that will nourish the community for years to come.

Earlier this month, the Amberley Community Garden and Food Forest celebrated a major milestone with its first community planting day. More than 70 local residents turned out to support the project, helping to plant fruit trees, spread mulch, and prepare the site for the next stage of development.

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black has been a strong supporter of the project throughout its planning stages, and officially marked the occasion by planting the garden’s first specimen – a lemon tree. “This garden is a true reflection of what can happen when a community works together,” she says.

The idea for the community garden grew from a food security hui held in Amberley in August 2025 by Food Secure North Canterbury, Hurunui District Council, and Satisfy Food Rescue. During the hui, community members identified food security as a key concern and explored practical ways to increase access to fresh, healthy food. The concept of a community garden quickly emerged as one of the most supported solutions. Since then, dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly to turn the vision into reality.

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black plants her first tree

Over the past ten months volunteers have invested hundreds of hours into the project, including obtaining access to a 700-square-metre site, undertaking community consultation, developing plans for the garden, sourcing funding and donations, coordinating volunteers, preparing the site, and organising the first planting day. The garden will be maintained by volunteers, with ongoing support from community members, organisations, and businesses.

The long-term vision is for the space to used for workshops, open days, and community events, creating opportunities for residents of all ages to learn new skills, connect with others, and participate in growing local food.

Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/feeding-a-community-from-the-ground-up/