Puhinui Domain will be apple-solutely peachy as the community band together for the upcoming Puhinui Community Orchard Planting Day.
The event seeks to enhance the local food environment within the Puhinui Domain and is a project hosted by Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui: Empowered Communities, Auckland Council, and Pacific Vision Aotearoa.
The ‘Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui’ and Transform Manukau programme is a regeneration programme in the heart of Taamaki ki te tonga (South Auckland) led by Eke Panuku.
Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board deputy chair Vi Hausia, representative for Papatoetoe says, “The board approved the use of this park for an orchard and has been involved in Te Whakaoratanga o te Puhinui from its inception.”
The Puhinui Domain has a pond and tributary to Te Puhinui Awa through the middle of it. This is currently concrete lined and there are plans to regenerate and re-naturalise these in future as part of wider upgrades to the Manukau area.
This orchard was intentionally sited to the edge of the domain so that it wouldn’t restrict future park upgrades.
There is a growing a collective effort for greater food sovereignty (independency and ability to access food) which directly supports the food priority in Te Tāruke ā Tāwhiri, a low-carbon, resilient, local food system that provides all Aucklanders with access to fresh and healthy food.
“As part of a broader food sovereignty movement in South Auckland to increase the urban ngahere and in collaboration with existing providers offering maara kai (market gardens) and a food forest, we all play a larger role in the overall rejuvenation of the area as well as growing resilient food sources within our local communities,” says Hausia.
Regional Arborists & Ecological Manager Specialist Operations David Stejskal adds, “Food sovereignty is an important part of a climate response as it reduces our reliance on a fossil fuel dependent food system.
“This kaupapa has also been designed to build the capability of local communities to understand and grow their own kai – including a close partnership with the whānau and tamariki of Puhinui School.”
The intent is to follow up the orchard planting with future engagements with local communities to teach about ongoing maintenance, harvesting and permaculture (land management that doesn't produce any waste) principles.
Event details
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Date: Saturday, 11th May 2024
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Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Location: Puhinui Domain, 50 Plunket Avenue, Papatoetoe (Entrance next to the Glass Factory).
Seventeen fruit trees and two native trees will be planted on the day, near the entrance from Plunket Avenue. This planting will compliment and enhance other tree planting in Puhinui Domain focused on expansion of canopy cover.
Attendees will be able to explore Te Puhinui awa, the ancestral stream of Te Waiohua Iwi, and gain insights into the vital role of pollinators in preserving nature through the Polynator Kaiways programme. In addition, providing the , sharing of kai and a chance for tamariki to craft creative signs for the orchard.
Puhinui Domain Proposed Orchard Planting map
To register for the event, please RSVP to: team@tewhakaorangaotepuhinui.co.nz.
Learn more about the broader Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui kaupapa led by Eke Panuku and check out Polynator Kaiways.
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