Community meeting reaches deal over Wai Ariki Food Forest

Tensions surrounding a community garden in Onerahi over smoke, flags, firewood and hangi bags have eased somewhat following a community meeting.

The Wai Ariki Food Forest Onerahi-rahi, on the corner of Whimp Ave and Church St behind the airport had raised the ire of some nearby neighbours.

A meeting between the members of the food forest, the nearby residents and the Whangarei District Council was held at the Onerahi Community Hall on Wednesday. Around 45 people, including councillors and chief executive Rob Forlong, packed into the hall.

It was the second meeting involving the groups. Many involved said they were seeking a resolution, and some harmony between the groups.

The food forest was started around two years ago and operates by donations. It has been continually developed during that time. The group behind the forest has put weirs in the stream, grown fruit and vegetables and put down hangi.

Members of the food forest and the local community had a chance to speak and counter the points raised at the meeting.

Neighbour John Farley said he was for the garden and the idea of "them and us is not true". He said there were "one or two things that happened" which should have been resolved ages ago.

Mr Farley said the garden was "growing outside the garden concept" and he wanted to see the area formalised. Other residents said they are for the garden, but wanted a set of ground rules from the council.

The residents raised concerns with structures built at the garden, the "unsightly" hangi bags being hung up to dry, smoke from rubbish fires and hangi, the flying of flags at the site, and stacks of firewood. One resident remarked: "Flags don't make vegetables grow."

Food forest member Buchanan Cullen agreed to remove the firewood and the hangi sacks on Wednesday afternoon, while there will be no more rubbish fires.

Fellow member Wendy Giffin said as they were all volunteers things took time, but the group did have plans. She welcomed the neighbours to join them at the food forest.

Some exchanges were heated, causing Mr Forlong to step in and mediate.

The two parties agreed to confine the food forest to the current area, with no expansion. They also agreed activity on the site would be during daylight hours and any structures would be for garden-related purposes only. There will be no alcohol, drugs, parties or camping.

Mr Forlong said the council will make a decision on the hangi and the flags. The groups also established some points of contact for future issues to be taken to.

Food forest member Fred Tito closed the meeting by saying: "We won't agree on all things but we're together and we're talking and that's huge."