Kai in the Kihikihi yard

MANY sectors of the Kihikihi community came together on Monday to plant the Community Garden. TC061108DT01

BY DEAN TAYLOR

An important stage in the Kihikihi Community Garden project took place this week when the vegetable seedlings were planted out.

Initiated by the Maori Women’s Welfare League under the ‘Kai in the Yard’ banner, Kihikihi’s Community Garden has pulled together a dedicated group to bring health benefits to their community. The local League was inspired by Tainui regional office to run the project in Kihikihi as a way of getting the community involved in a project and learning about sharing and good eating.

Working from their community premises, which they share with Waikato Primary Health amongst others, the project caught the imagination of other parties and grew. League members were glad of the assistance, as it became a major project providing major benefits.

Community health coach co-ordinator Irene Good was already promoting healthy lifestyles, food and cooking, so the idea of a garden of fresh, healthy vegetables was an excellent addition to what she was offering. The group was keen to help families learn to eat better, but often the cost of healthier, fresh foods was given as an excuse for current habits. With issues of overweight and diabetes, especially amongst the Maori community, good, healthy nutrition was seen as a vital skill.

The project has received tremendous support from business and the community, and the land has been cleared, and landscaped for vegetable gardening. Carol and Peter Fraser of Growing Spectrum provided invaluable advise and a place to start the vegetables from seedlings. Mr Fraser was on hand at the planting, which involved many different groups as well as some of the community youth.

Teaching young ones skills to provide good food is seen as a valuable part of the exercise. As the food becomes available to harvest the team plan to follow up with more cooking classes. Maori Women’s Welfare league already has a wonderful resource in the free Nga Wahine Atawhai o Matukutureia Recipe Book — which addresses traditional Maori tastes, but teaches healthy cooking styles.