Lower Hutt

Common Unity Aotearoa, is the umbrella organisation for about 14 different initiatives and programmes based in Lower Hutt. They It started with an acre of vegetable garden at the Epuni Primary School and now it has expanded to an enterprise hub, the Waiwhetu ReMakery which is increasingly serving people living in greater Wellington - supporting start-up businesses, learning opportunities, intergenerational respect, healthy lifestyles, and social cohesion. 

Urban Kai Farms Programme is transforming lawns at homes, schools and institutions across the Hutt Valley into intensely productive, organic micro-farms. With salary support from Nikau Foundation, their team are teaching, training and engaging the local community.  

Turning organic materials otherwise destined for landfill into compost, they use chemical-free methods to attract beneficial insects, repel pests and grow the very best produce – local, organically grown, nutrient-dense fruit and vegetables. Most of their farms are teaching spaces with the produce from the farms going to Epuni school to feed the children three times a week.    

We are grateful to The Tindall Foundation who helped make this grant possible.