Make the most of GROW Pōneke

This autumn, Wellingtonians are invited to a series of events celebrating local kai, community, and the ways they connect to make our city flourish through GROW Pōneke.

Celebrations began on Monday 26 February with the launch of Local Food Week. The annual festival is a feast of ways to cook, eat and grow local food together, created by Seeds to Feeds with the support of Wellington City Council. Seeds to Feeds is a community organisation connecting people with place and community through local food activities. Events to come include a workshop on growing kai in even the smallest backyard, a look behind the scenes with local food rescue, and a fun morning in a community orchard.

Next up is Neighbours Aotearoa. Any day that you connect with your neighbours makes our neighbourhoods friendlier and more resilient, but throughout March everyone is encouraged to get to know their neighbours better. This year’s theme is ‘Growing Together’. Events include a community BBQ and children’s treasure hunt in Hataitai, and morning waiata twice a week in the central city. 

Seeds to Feeds Harvest Festival also runs all March long. A program of incredibly special community meals that showcase kai grown and prepared locally by exceptional community members. A great way to celebrate community, kai and connection. Harvest Festival events are happening every weekend and finish with Te Aro Eats at CubaDupa.

Grow Pōneke festivities wind-up with the Community Gardens Open Sundays in April. If you’ve ever wondered what happens at the city’s many community gardens and how you can get involved, this is your chance to find out.

From lush pocket gardens to rambling urban oases, gardens in a different area of the city will be hosting visitors each Sunday. The gardens are as varied as the people who tend them, but all are great places to learn about growing local kai, connecting with others, or taking some time out.