A decade of Dignan St Community Garden!

Kia ora koutou,

Wow, what rain. The heavens certainly opened today. The good news is that our kūmara are absolutely loving it, which gives the watering crew a well-earned sigh of relief.

If you have not been along to the māra for a while, now is a great time to visit and check out the perfectly lined-up puke, each one home to one of our fifteen heritage kūmara varieties. Come have a look now so you can follow their growth over the coming months.

Today we celebrated ten years of Dignan Street Community Garden, and despite the torrential rain it was a beautiful, joy-filled event. At times around thirty people were huddled around the screenprinting table, whipping out prints, chatting, laughing, and grabbing slices of pizza fresh from the oven. The energy was high. The garden was full of friends, both old and new, and it meant so much to have a number of our original members present to mark this milestone.

A heartfelt mihi to Ema, whose ongoing support with the screenprinting setup has transformed what started as a fun one-off idea into a much-loved community activity. We cannot wait to see people rocking their freshly printed Growing Point merch around Tāmaki and beyond.

Thank you to every single person who came out in the rain to celebrate what a decade of soil, care, and community can grow.

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Come to our 10 year birthday party tomorrow!

Kia ora koutou,

We have checked the forecast and we’re excited to be going ahead with our party tomorrow 11am-2pm! We’re celebrating 10 years of Dignan Street Community Garden and acknowledging those who have contributed to making it happen. We’d love you to join us!

WHAT’S HAPPENING (timings approximate)

11-2 Screenprinting is a go, with a range of new designs, check out a few of them below!  
12- 12.20 Community circle ceremony with karakia and a couple of speeches.
12.20 Update on our kūmara project with matua Rob Small.
12.30 PIZZA

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A powerful day planting kūmara together

Kia ora koutou,

What a magical weekend in the māra. Our kūmara beds are now filled with life, connection, and the wairua of everyone who came to plant.

We look forward to seeing you in a week’s time for our 10 year annoversary party! Screenprinting is a go, with a range of new designs this time, so don’t forget to bring an old shirt or piece of clothing to upcyle and rock some DSCG merch this Summer.

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Caring for the soil in more ways than one!

Kia ora koutou,

Another big week in the māra and the garden is humming. The teepees are up, beans are climbing, tomatoes are planted, and the beds are getting ready for the summer rush. There is always a sigh of relief when the bulk of the summer crops are finally in the ground, the hard graft of kōanga giving way to the steady rhythm of watering, tending, and harvests to come.

Read on for a timely reminder about watering and mulch, and a call to action in support of our friends at Sanctuary Mahi Whenua gardens.

Also, see you next Sunday (23rd November) for our Kūmara planting day!

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Special kūmara planting event 🍠

Kia ora koutou,

Last week we had not one, not two — but three cakes to celebrate Ally’s birthday, one of our treasured founding members of the garden! A big ngā mihi to Ally and Jane for the beautiful cakes and for sharing such sweetness with us all.

In our recent survey, it came as no surprise that the number one reason our members come to the garden is for the friendship and community. Each week, it’s clear to see the love, care, and laughter that make this space so special.

Here’s to many more shared moments — and perhaps a few more slices of cake! 🍰🌿

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Remembering Ian, and growing together 💚

Kia ora koutou,

We begin this email with very sad news. Our dear friend Ian Duncan, one of the original members of Dignan Street Community Garden, passed away suddenly on October 23rd after a fall at home. Ian was there from the very beginning — moving the first barrow-loads of mulch, building our tool shed, introducing us to his latest garden gadgets, and always the first up to dance at our live music events. He’ll be fondly remembered for his long stories, quick humour, and his steadfast love of this place.

His legacy will live on in the garden, especially in the relocated mandarin tree that he planted from his parents’ home. Ian’s funeral will be held Monday 11 November, 12 noon at Purewa Cemetery.
Funeral details here. Moe mai rā, Ian — thank you for everything you gave.

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Sunshine, seedlings, and a sigh of relief 🌞

Kia ora koutou,

Happy Labour Day! We hope you’re enjoying the sunshine — best to soak it in before this evening’s rain arrives. Traditionally, Labour Weekend marks the perfect time to plant tomatoes, and the incoming showers will help settle your new seedlings and get them growing strong.

We’re also still buzzing from yesterday’s Seedling Sale & Pizza Social — what a day!

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Fingers crossed for Sunday’s Seedling Sale 🌱

Kia ora koutou,

We hope you’re enjoying this sunny weekend. The forecast is looking a little unpredictable for next weekend, but we’re not letting that dampen our excitement for the Seedling Sale & Pizza Social this coming Sunday, October 26th (11am–2pm).

If the weather doesn’t play ball, our rain date is Sunday, November 2nd. We’ll make the final call on Saturday morning and send the newsletter early if we need to postpone.

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Tuesday AM working bee postponed due to rain 🌧️

Kia ora koutou,

Tomorrow morning’s weather looks rather wet so we’re postponing our working bee to Wednesday afternoon 3-5pm. Hopefully you’re still able to make it!

Don’t forget our Thursday sessions are still running from 5pm – 7pm which you’re welcome to pop along for if the Wednesday doesn’t suit.

Mauri ora,

The Growing Point team