Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu - celebrating National Volunteer Week!
From soccer coaches to Brownie leaders, many of us have been lucky enough to connect with special volunteers who have had a lasting impact on our lives.
For many tamariki around the country, it’s their local Garden to Table volunteers whose impact will be felt for years to come.
Put simply, the Garden to Table programme wouldn’t be possible without the incredible efforts of many volunteers - and each and every day, we find ourselves brimming with gratitude for them.
Last month, New Zealand celebrated Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu - National Volunteer Week, and we want to take this opportunity to recognise the collective impact of our volunteers!
In every corner of the country, Garden to Table volunteers are helping bring our food education programme to life - and in doing so, are empowering the next generation of Kiwi kids to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh kai.
Diverse in every way, these volunteers are united by their drive to make a positive difference in their local community.
They’re a delight to chat with, as they’re each filled with heartwarming stories from the garden and kitchen - like Karen (from Howick Primary), who tells us …
“As adults we get so focused on ‘doing’. Working with children makes you slow down and appreciate things from their perspective, that the process is more important and the sense of ‘being’. The garden is constantly changing, no day and no session are ever alike and it’s the small joys and moments which makes it special for me”
Let’s meet some of the incredible volunteers who make Garden to Table hum …
Olivia Bay - Cockle Bay Volunteer
When Olivia saw our Trustee, Nadia Lim, talking about Garden to Table on TV, her interest was piqued. She’d been wanting to volunteer with children for a while - and Garden to Table was a perfect fit. She now helps run weekly sessions at her children’s school - Cockle Bay. Although Olivia loves the concept of growing and harvesting produce, and using it to make tasty kai, it's helping tamariki transform their relationship with fresh kai that counts the most for her.
“[My highlight is] “when we pick the produce and the student tells me ‘nope I am not eating that’, and I say ‘wait to see what creation we will make’. 99% of the time, the kids will love it and go back for seconds. Some children don’t get the opportunity to garden at home or to make something fresh from the garden, I love how this programme is successful when students come up to me asking when is it their turn next, they can’t wait”.”
Karen - Howick Primary Garden Specialist
Having followed the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation in Australia since the early 2000's, Karen was thrilled when Garden to Table reached Kiwi shores. She always knew she’d get involved one day. In 2020, that became a reality, and Karen found herself establish the Garden to Table programme at Howick Primary - the same school she attended in the early 80's. Fast forward to this year, and the school now employs Karen to lead 2 gardening sessions per week.
“I have an endless supply of special moments from my time being part of Garden to Table, but overall, I love seeing how the students and volunteers connect. I love seeing how the children get caught up in the moment and can spend one hour focusing on a single task like weeding or digging over the compost beds with total concentration. The conversations you have are just magic and the joy and pride you see on their faces makes it more than worthwhile”
Andrew - Board Member
Andrew - who is a lawyer, father of 3, and grandfather of 5, jokes that he was originally "shoe-horned" into joining the Garden to Table Board of Trustees many years ago. But, as a foodie (who grew up with a large vegetable garden filled with capsicums and eggplants), he was thrilled to have the opportunity to support our kaupapa. With a strong interest in governance, Andrew has played a vital role in supporting and enabling our growth - offering invaluable input into all matters with a legal flavour, including our Trust Deed and Board policies.
“I’ve seen kids who are difficult in the classroom take on leadership roles in the garden, and also in the kitchen”
Denise & Erica - Waikaretu Volunteers
Having grown up with a love for gardening and cooking, both Denise and Erica feel right at home volunteering for Garden to Table. Six years ago, the pair teamed up to run a special senior project - helping year 7 and 8 students grow veges and herbs, make compost, and save seeds. Given the synergies between their growing and eating philosophies, Waikaretu School soon joined our programme - which Denise and Erica continue to run. They share the gardening and cooking activities - which are planned around what is ready for harvesting.
“The Covid experience has made me even more aware of the need for food sovereignty and independence, and a great place to start is with these young, enthusiastic, and curious children. If we can all grow, prepare, and enjoy some vegetables, fruit and herbs, (to complement our beef and lamb) we’ll add to our health and are more likely to survive a crisis. And Garden to Table supports this so well!”
Would you like to empower Kiwi kids to grow, harvest, prepare and share good food? Sign up to volunteer with us today!