Hope you’re all staying cosy and laid back during this Ōhua moon — a low-energy descending phase encouraging us to stay close to friends and whānau and keep things simple.
There’s been exciting progress in the māra. Last week we celebrated our new compost tower, and now we’ve gained another structure — a beautiful shade sail floating over the circle.
Ngā mihi to the Thursday crew who tinkered away to get it hung. We now have a second shady space to relax together, which is especially welcome while our usual covered grape area has become a full-blown celebration for birds, bees, wasps and every creature enjoying this year’s abundant crop. The sail gives us somewhere peaceful to sit, talk and share kai without competing for space.
We hope you’re enjoying the sunshine this weekend and basking in the late summer glow. Settle in with a cup of tea for this one — we’ve got a hearty update on the land situation.
Today many of our members showed up for the meeting at the Bowling Club regarding the contested land ownership. We arrived to a side room completely packed, overflowing onto the outdoor seating and playground. More than 200 people attended!
The hui, led by Simon, President of the Bowling Club and Hallyburton Johnstone Sports Club, began with remarks from representatives of the three clubs and our māra, represented by Bex. From there, we moved into the detail of what is happening, the challenge ahead, and what we can do.
Here is a summary of where things stand.
The land our garden, bowling, croquet and tennis clubs sit on is part of a parcel set aside 98 years ago by Hallyburton Johnstone, with a trust established to oversee it. The intention was clear: the land was to remain in perpetuity for non-contact sports and community activities. That legacy has been honoured for nearly a century.
However, ownership is now being contested by the Anglican Trust for Women and Children, a beneficiary of Hallyburton Johnstone’s will. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the matter is expected to move toward the High Court. The sports clubs are now having to fight for their right to remain on land that has been continuously used for community sport and gathering for almost 100 years.
If this land were lost, it would mean the loss of a central pillar of our community.
The legal battle ahead is likely to be lengthy and expensive.
After a robust Q&A session with representatives of the clubs, our garden, Margi Watson and Helen White MP, several clear actions emerged:
1. Become a member. If you are not already a member of one of the clubs, now is the time. Membership strengthens our collective presence. If you are a regular volunteer with us, consider not only becoming a Dignan St garden member but also joining the Bowling Club as a social member. Unity matters.
2. Donate if you can. A Givealittle page has been established to cover legal costs, which may reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here’s a link to the page.
3. Use your voice and networks. Speak about the importance of this land. Share why it matters. Tell your stories. Do you know any of the Anglican Trust for Women and Children’s trustees? Have a look at their site – perhaps you already know or work with some of their partner organisations.
4. Share your memories and experiences. These spaces are not empty land. They are living hubs of sport, food, friendship and whakapapa. They honour the original vision for this land.
While the meeting was sobering, it was also hopeful. The turnout alone showed how deeply this land is valued. When we gather together, something powerful happens. There will be more to share as this unfolds. The High Court date is unlikely to be until next year, which gives us time to organise, strengthen and stand together.
Thank you for your commitment, engagement and heart.
First up, apologies for the two missed emails over the past few weeks. We’re back on track now. Thank you for showing up anyway, to working bees, events, and for each other. A special mihi to the members who kept things ticking along in our absence by hosting sessions themselves. Ngā mihi nui Billy, and to everyone who stepped in and held the kaupapa with care.
We hope your māra is faring well after the generous dose of rain we’ve had over the past few days. We love summer rain like this. It does so much of the work for us. A gentle reminder to make sure your soil is well covered, either with living plants or mulch, so that precious moisture stays down where it’s needed. Cool, moist soil supports healthy plants and thriving soil life.
Seeing lots of weeds popping up? Chop and drop them.!Rather than fighting them, put them to work protecting the soil surface and feeding what’s happening below ground.
Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou Pākehā. Happy New Year and welcome back to the māra! We hope you’ve had time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the different rhythm of summer.
We’re right in the heart of peak growing season now and the sun is hot. A huge thank you to our watering roster crew, who have been diligently caring for the māra over the break and making sure our plants had the moisture they needed to thrive. Without you, we wouldn’t be enjoying stunning, crunchy cucumbers and the abundance that summer brings. Ngā mihi nui.
as 2025 draws to a close, we’ve been taking a moment to stand still among the beds, the trees, and the compost piles, and reflect on what has been an extraordinary year of growth — not just in the soil, but in our people, our kaupapa, and our connections.
This year we expanded our garden and our imagination through the kūmara project, growing an incredible 16 varieties and deepening our understanding of this treasured taonga. We were also humbled to receive funding support from Foundation North and the Starfish Foundation, which helped strengthen our mahi and set us up for the seasons ahead. Huge thanks to with matua Rob Small for leading this kaupapa and generously sharing his mātauranga and to Luke for writing an outstanding funding application.
A gentle heads up as we head into the festive season. This week is our final week of open volunteer sessions for the year, before we close over summer and return in mid-January.
Tuesday and Thursday sessions are both running as usual this week, and we would really love to see you there. It feels like a good moment to slow down, hang out, share a few laughs, and enjoy each other’s company before our focus turns to holidays, rest, and recharging.
Next week is our final week of volunteer sessions for the year, so we are really looking forward to seeing you in the māra and catching up before everyone drifts into holiday mode.
If you have not been along for a little while, now is a beautiful time to visit. The summer crops are settling in, the kūmara are stretching into their new beds, and the māra has that warm, full feeling that comes right before Christmas.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Growing Point team are not able to run the Thursday session this week. We will be back on deck next week. Tuesday session is going ahead and Di will be hosting it. If you’re free Weds 5.30- 8 you could support the Sanctuary Mahi Whenua by going to Ellens workshop, or donate the givealittle page below.
