Grow Forrest Hill, the community garden in Seine Reserve has received a Kūmara Award. Kūmara Awards are a celebration of projects that have made a positive difference to life in public places. Nominated by people from all walks of life, the Kūmara Awards showcase and encourage placemaking initiatives and remind us that both big and small changes have the potential to uplift a place and the people in it.

Organised by Placemaking Aoteroa, the awards are also a platform for highlighting meaningful transformation and impactful change that is experienced positively by communities in public spaces. The Kūmara Awards are a community of people who care enough to act. We all have some power to change a place and to nominate projects that have made a difference!
Its excellent recognition for Grow Forrest Hill and founders Pheobe and Dave Atkinson. The community garden is growing more than organic food. Grow Forrest Hill aims to grow a beautiful space, a space to learn about gardening, eat wonderful food, grow our community and get to know neighbours.
Nestled in Seine Reserve, this community garden is a productive learning space with no fences, underpinned by a recognition of the need to find new ways to steward and care for the whenua. Everyone gardens together, sharing the fruits (and veggies) of their labour – the harvest is distributed among those at the weekly working bee and any surplus produce is left on the Community Produce Stand for passers-by to enjoy.
To reach beyond those who like to garden and acknowledging that people thrive when they feel connected to the neighbourhood, nature and those around them, the group hosts fun-filled festivals, educational workshops, and regular community dinners.
An outdoor kitchen, complete with a pizza oven, is the heart of the garden offering space for community gatherings, or private dinners with proceeds going towards the costs of the garden. It is also supported by over 20 local businesses (including Channel Mag publishers Benefitz) and organisations from a variety of sectors, further illustrating its value.
Grow Forrest Hill is a testament to the value of land, community and the joy of coming together to create something truly special.
Channel Mag congratulates the entire Grow Forrest Hill community on receiving this well-deserved award.

For more information visit: growcollective.co.nz and placemaking.nz