Our People: Diana

Not many people can say they’ve had a positive impact on the health of thousands of tamariki. But, during her time as Principal, Diana Tregoweth implemented the Garden to Table programme at both Owairaka School and Papatoetoe West School, and as a result, she has provided students across Tāmaki Makaurau with knowledge, confidence, skills, and inspiration to grow and cook fresh food. 

It all started in 2009, when Diana first read about Garden to Table. At the time, our programme was being piloted in just three schools. But, with the old adage of “if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime” close to her heart, Diana was keen to implement the programme at Owairaka. 

The programme was a natural fit for the school - which has a sustainability philosophy, and holds a Green-Gold Enviroschool status.  

Owairaka’s school gardens

After getting everything set up, Owairaka’s programme quickly grew from strength to strength.  

It was in 2011 that they got to enjoy a particularly memorable experience - a visit from award-winning chef, Michael Meredith (renowned nationwide for his creativity), who helped the students prepare for their new Fale Samoa.  

Michael isn’t the only special visitor Owairaka has had - in 2014, international singer-songwriter and musician, Jack Johnson, dropped by while in the country for his ‘From Here To Now To You’ tour. 

“He composed a song about Garden to Table and made pizza with the kids - it was so exciting”, Diana tells us.  

Jack Johnson’s visit to Owairaka

 When Diana moved on to Papatoetoe West School, establishing Garden to Table was one of her first priorities.  

“We got started quickly. The Deputy Principal could see the vision, and the buy-in from parents and staff has been fantastic - they love the programme. Having a second go, I knew all about the programme and what it entailed, so was able to think carefully about what was needed”. 

Amongst the first tasks was revamping the leaky school hall, in which Diana set up a teaching kitchen. “We were able to change the kitchen so that the sinks were at the kid's level. We added an extra oven, set up cupboards and dining on one end, and sinks at the other”. 

Over the following weeks, the community rallied together to ensure the kitchens and gardens offered a rich learning environment for tamariki to develop vital skills. 

“We had a working bee, a local charity came along and put gardens in, an ex-pupil donated some plants. We set up garden beds, a hothouse, and garden shed”.  

Students in Papatoetoe West’s gardens

These community connections have remained an integral part of Papatoetoe West’s Garden to Table experience.  

Lots of local individuals and organisations have contributed to the programme - including Almighty Drinks (whose staff volunteered), the local Lions and Variety Club (who donated to the programme and built the school’s hens house respectively), and a local food hub (who regularly allow the students to come along and learn from them).  

Giving back to the local community has been just as important for Diana and Papatoetoe West School. Not only have they adopted the park, located next to the school, as kaitiaki (they regularly plant trees, using knowledge and skills learnt from Garden to Table to help them), but they have also hosted open days, where students share food from the gardens with parents and whānau. 

Earlier this year, the students even had the opportunity to share their bounty with Dame Cindy Kiro - the Governor-General of New Zealand, when she paid a visit to the school. 

“That was definitely a highlight”, Diana says. “The older kids formed a guard of honour from the gate to the hall for her arrival. She took part in the programme, and her passion was inspiring - she was very children-centric, focusing on the kids the whole time”.

Dame Cindy Kiro exploring Papatoetoe West alongside Diana and students

 Overall, it’s helping tamariki build vital skills that matters the most to Diana.  

“Now, families are so busy, and consuming so many takeaways. Children - even young teachers, don’t know what peas in a pod look like, they can’t name vegetables. By teaching kids where food comes from, teaching them recipes to cook for themselves, developing a love for cooking, and promoting health, they’re learning skills for life”

Looking ahead, Diana hopes every school in New Zealand can experience Garden to Table. “If everyone can buy in, it’ll be fantastic. I totally believe in it, there are so many wonderful opportunities”. 

After many years of kind service, Diana will be retiring at the end of this year. The Garden to Table team would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge Diana and the incredible leadership she’s shown, and celebrate the wide-reaching impact she’s had on thousands of tamariki. 

Ngā mihi nui, Diana - it’s been an honour to have you as part of the Garden to Table community, and we wish you the best.