Feeding the Earth

Ngāpeke Permaculture is more than a land management project. It’s an initiative that wholly considers people and the future-proofing of the community it serves.

Set upon the 17 hectare Ngāpeke 7 land block in Welcome Bay, Ngāpeke Permaculture is home to flourishing māra kai (food gardens), perennial forest gardens, syntropic agriculture areas, native plants, wetlands and more.

At the heart of Ngāpeke Permaculture is a deep commitment to mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship).

These principles guide every action taken on the land, ensuring the wellbeing of Papatūānuku (the Earth), the taiao (environment) and the hapori (community).

The project’s mission is threefold: To promote food abundance and security, care for the land in sustainable ways and empower the community with the skills and knowledge to do the same.

It’s not only about feeding people, it’s about teaching them to feed themselves and their whānau for generations to come.

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Rina Walker is one of the three main co-ordinators of Ngāpeke Permaculture alongside Chrissy McLeod and Ole Gaspar. Rina explains that about one third of the land block has been planted without the use of pesticides or herbicides.

Instead, focus is put on reintroducing traditional practises passed down by tūpuna (ancestors).

“There are no sprays, no chemicals used. We concentrate on feeding the earth and the soil,” Rina says.

In 2018, the trustees of the Ngāpeke 7 land block decided it was time to do more with the whenua (land). At that time, the area had been used for mono crop farming for 16 years and was densely planted with maize. However, the trustees wanted to ensure the Welcome Bay land could reach its full potential, with the help of locals, whānau and families.

“We involved the community because really, our main kaupapa is to teach people by involving them in the day-to-day tasks.”

Plans were put in place and the physical mahi to transform the land block into a not-for-profit earth-friendly environmental haven got underway.

Debris, weeds, non-organic material and rubbish needed removing before any landscaping and planting took place.

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“We involved the community because really, our main kaupapa is to teach people by involving them in the day-to-day tasks.”

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“Nothing in the way of organic plant and tree material leaves the property. It all goes back into feeding the soil. Being sustainable and not “wasteful” as our tūpuna taught us to be.”

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Now, māra kai at the entrance to the block are used to grow kumara, kamokamo, king garlic, potatoes, chokos, tomatoes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, pumpkin and more. The soil is alive again with the help of cover crops, compost and mulch. The newly-planted native areas and the regeneration of wetlands is thriving.

“We’ve grown an abundance of kai. That’s enough kai to share around the community,” Rina says.

Initially, vegetable seeds were sourced from King Seeds in Katikati, but now most come from the gardens themselves.

Rina emphasises the importance of growing native species belonging to the region, especially the tāonga plant species that have grown and adapted here since time began.

For example, tawa and rimu are two tree species that once populated this land block – and Rina says sourcing your seed locally is best practice.

“Nothing in the way of organic plant and tree material leaves the property. It all goes back into feeding the soil. Being sustainable and not “wasteful” as our tūpuna taught us to be.”

Rina has noticed rarauwhe (bracken fern) returning to the land block in recent times, which has been a personal highlight.

“Everytime I see one I get excited as it is a sign of native regeneration.

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“The biggest reward is seeing people’s curiosity awaken. Permaculture is a great tool, but the foundation of this project is mātauranga. We’re not just feeding families, we’re teaching them too,” she says.

Stirring the curiosity in people leads to them asking more questions, Rina says. While permaculture is a handy tool, mātauranga enhances it. “We’re also here to help landowners shift away from aggressive land management practises to earth-friendly, sustainable practises. This is really not that hard, it’s just being well planned.”

There are about six regular weekly volunteers. However, several hundred people have volunteered over the past six years.  

“I’m here three days a week and I’m in and out every other day,” Rina says. “However, it’s volunteer hands that have made the difference to this project.”

Groups and individuals come to help out, with sports teams and service-type groups both local and from overseas donating time as well.

As part of the Hapori Thursdays, the general public can turn up and take part in whatever jobs are needed on that day, whether it’s nursery work, planting or making compost for example.

“Without the help of the volunteer community, this project wouldn’t be what it is today.”

Rina has been working on permaculture projects from 2011. However, she says most of her experience and understanding of ecosystems in a self-sufficient and sustainable way comes from being on the farm with her dad.

“I grew up watching and learning from my father and observing nature.”

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When Rina returned to Tauranga from Wellington to look after her mum, she found herself being eyed to support the project, which she continues to do today.

In today’s day and age, Rina says, many people rely on supermarkets for their main source of food items. “But, this project serves to demonstrate how to grow kai sustainably for yourself and your whānau at home.”

Ngāpeke Permaculture follows three main principles – Kai Mahamaha (food abundance and food security); Tiaki Taiao (earth care) and Oranga Tangata (people care). These principles inform all their practises, including natural, sustainable and community-focused.

Ngāpeke Permaculture also operates four interconnected enterprises: Ātea Consultancy, offering permaculture design infused with mātauranga Māori; Ruia Native Plant Nursery, specialising in locally-sourced tāonga plant species; Pātaka Fresh Produce, providing seasonal produce, eggs and a seedling subscription; and Taiao Green-Trails, which is an eco-tourism venture inviting others to experience the land first-hand.

Ngāpeke Permaculture is not just about growing food. It’s about nurturing land, culture and community – and creating a blueprint for a more sustainable and connected future.

ngapekepermaculture.com
@ngapeke_permaculture
Ngapeke Permaculture

Words by Kristin Macfarlane
Photography by Adrienne Pitts

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