Kaumātua Fred Tito, Katana Graham, Chevelle Benson, BestStart Pipiwai Kindy manager Helen Carroll and kaumātua Dick Shepherd at the community garden opening. Photo / John Stone
A Whangārei early childhood centre is strengthening ties with the community through fruit and vegetables.
On Monday, BestStart Pipiwai Kindy opened its community garden "Te Koha" which contains mandarin trees, an apple tree, a lemonade tree and four garden boxes planted with lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and leeks.
Centre manager Helen
Carroll said the children already had their own gardens which they could eat from. But this garden meant they would have produce for their families, and the wider community.
"It's important for the children to learn there's a community there that they're apart of and they can contribute to. It's very much part of what they learn in early childhood.
"We teach them about how to care for each other and how to care for their community," she said.
