Skip to main content

Growing kai in community spaces

About kai-growing spaces

Kai-growing spaces are areas where you can grow food for the surrounding community. We designed these spaces to provide opportunities that:

  • build a sense of community
  • give access to fresh nutritious food
  • reduce waste
  • improve our environment.

Spaces can range from small to medium gardens to food forests and teaching gardens.

Existing community gardens

We have a few active community groups across Tāmaki Makaurau that you can get involved with.

If you want to find existing kai-growing spaces you can check the Live Lightly community groups map.

If you are interested in urban foraging you can check the Live Lightly fruit tree map.

Setting up a new kai-growing space

Setting up a new space is a long-term commitment. We recommend you read the guidelines to understand what this involves.

The guidelines describe:

  • the types of kai-growing spaces
  • what you can and can not use the space for
  • what to consider before you start
  • the six-step process to set up and maintain the space
  • how to establish and formalise a community group
  • how these spaces support our climate plan.
​Email kaigrowing@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz if you want to start the process. Our team will contact you to discuss your plans.

 Related topics

 

 

Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Planhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/topic-based-plans-strategies/environmental-plans-strategies/aucklands-climate-plan/response/Pages/te-taruke-a-tawhiri.aspxTe Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate PlanAbout Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan and how we plan to respond to climate emergency.aspx
What you can do for the environmenthttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/what-you-can-do-for-environmentWhat you can do for the environmentFind out what you can do for the environment and where you can volunteer.aspxEnvironment consultation
Join a community programmehttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/what-you-can-do-for-environment/join-community-programmeJoin a community programmeJoin a community programme to get involved in gardening, shellfish monitoring, pest control and more.aspxCommunity and housing Environment Projects
Find a park or beachhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/parks-recreation/Pages/find-park-beach.aspxFind a park or beachFind a park or beach to enjoy a BBQ, play sports, or take the kids to a playground.aspxParks
Volunteer in our parkshttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/what-you-can-do-for-environment/Pages/volunteer-in-our-parks.aspxVolunteer in our parksJoin community planting days or join a Friends of Parks group to volunteer in our parks.aspxVolunteering
Auckland's Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategyhttps://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/topic-based-plans-strategies/environmental-plans-strategies/Pages/urban-ngahere-forest-strategy.aspxAuckland's Urban Ngahere (Forest) StrategyFind out about our Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy.aspx