O-I New Zealand's Penny Garland, left, MP Todd McClay, centre teacher Melissa Temara and Tremaine Temara, 2. Photo / Stephen Parker
A Rotorua early childhood centre will receive more than $2000 to help fund a garden project designed to teach children about sustainability and healthy living.
ABC Kawaha Point was announced as one of 13 successful applicants to receive an O-I New Zealand grant.
The grant was established to encourage schools to implement sustainability projects that help develop students' skills in identifying, investigating and finding solutions to environmental issues.
Centre teacher Melissa Temara said the support from the grant would assist in the ongoing work the centre did to teach environmental sustainability and healthy living.
"We are striving to provide a centre that promotes a clean Kiwi lifestyle which is full of natural resources and local produce.
"Our gardens will be filled with fruit, vegetables and herbs for our tamariki to learn first-hand how to grow their own food, and how to cook to maintain a healthy lifestyle."
Mrs Temara said the centre wanted to use the garden to benefit the whole community.
"Once the garden is well established we want to take it out to the community so we can instil the philosophies of healthy living not only in our children but their families as well.
"This grant will go a long way in helping us build this project and use it to foster a culture of healthy living."
O-I New Zealand sustainability manager Penny Garland said the company picked applications that demonstrated clear plans and were centred on learning and community engagement.
"The fund encourages students to look in their own backyards to discover ways they can minimise environmental impact, and work with the local community to co-ordinate initiatives that will benefit their school and society."
She said ABC Kawaha Point's application particularly stood out with its plans to develop a sustainable garden supporting a healthy lifestyle.
O-I New Zealand is the country's only glass container manufacturer, supplying glass bottles and jars to food and beverage brands.