EXTRA KAI: New Trees Bring Fruition to Mataura Gardens’ Mission
Mataura Community Garden continues to thrive, thanks to growing community interest and a surprise donation.
Following a recent Murihiku Kai story highlighting the work of the gardens and its volunteers, local business Easy Big Trees reached out to donate three fruit trees.
Mataura Community Gardens Manager Mike Whale met with the team last month to personally select the trees – a plum, a pear and nectarine.
“It is just an amazing blessing,” Mike said.
“The gesture was completely unexpected, and the trees are beautiful. They’ll add more variety to the fruit we’re able to grow and share with the community.”
Easy Big Trees Sales Lead Mel Waaka said they were moved by the story.
“We were really inspired by what Mike was doing for the community,” she said.
“Each quarter, we look for a way to give back, and this felt like a meaningful fit. Fruit trees seemed like the perfect way to contribute – and Mike chose the ones he thought would best suit the garden.”
The gesture reflects the long-standing values of the nursery’s team, some of whom come from generations of growers including Sales and Marketing Director Barney Harrison.
“We like to do things that touch hearts – that create a world of beauty.”
Mataura Community Gardens has long been a place for locals to come together, grow fresh produce, share skills and build connections.
Mike says the recent attention has been a real boost, not just for the gardens, but for the volunteers who keep it going.
“After the last blog post, we’ve had a few more volunteers come on board, which has been really good,” he said.
“It gives all the other ones who have been weeding away a bit of a lift – a bit of help.”
With the new trees taking root, the gardens are heading into the season with fresh momentum and a growing sense of community spirit.
Massive thanks to Easy Big Trees for their contribution to the Mataura Community Gardens, and support for a more empowered local food system.
If you’re a local business keen to get involved, or want to find out more about the Feeding Murihiku: Good Food Road Map we’d love to hear from you, email Steve at steveb@activesouthland.co.nz