Diabetes Projects Trust - Gardens4Health - Background or History
GARDENS 4  HEALTH

The Gardens4Health programme had its beginnings in 2008 as a pilot called 'Gardening for Health & Sustainability Initiative within the Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) area and was designed by CMDHB Lets Beat Diabetes in consultation with an extensive range of stakeholders. Gardening promotes physical activity, better nutrition, is socially and culturally important, and makes economic and environmental sense.
Gardens4Health involves facilitating and supporting the creation of community garden with the eventual expectation that these will translate into development of home gardens as skill levels of participants increase.

The Gardens4Health programme started its transition into a community based charitable trust, The Diabetes Projects Trust (DPT), in December 2009. It is run by an experienced Project Manager, Richard Main with facilitators David Avery and Homer Xu supporting, encouraging and advising groups. Key funding comes from Ministry of Health, Auckland, Counties Manukau and Waitemata District Health Boards.

With the cost of vegetables rising 23.5% in the past year (Statistics NZ July 2011) families are turning to growing food in community settings and in their own back yard.

Currently over 2000 people are growing food at 45 community gardens across the Auckland isthmus with an additional 7 food projects linked to Gardens4Health including demonstration gardens, school gardens, food forest and clusters of backyard gardens. The team of David Avery, Homer Xu and Richard Main are currently responding to 16 enquiries seeking guidance with a range of edible garden proposals, presentations and practical workshops.
Updated 13 October 2011
Edmund Hillary Primary School Principal Kataraina Nock and garden helpers
The programme focusses on supporting high health risk groups with 51% Pacific, 30% Maori, 6% south Asian populations
FRANKLIN TONGAN ASSOCIATION
A diverse network of partner organisations support the programme, with commitment from funders, council, charitable trusts, not for profit organisations, disability and mental health providers, educational institutions, government departments, ethnic and refugee support, faith community, Maori Marae, commercial suppliers, special interest groups and the community at large.

Two masters students are undertaking research projects focusing on the dynamics and benefits of community food gardening.

Stakeholder meetings include a garden field trip, round table feedback,guest presentation and general business held five times per year at community garden sites across Auckland. Stakeholders value the experience of learning through observation, gaining a perspective on the scope of the project, sharing success and issues and being inspired by innovative sustainability leaders.

Please contact the Gardens4Health team for details of community garden and food initiatives in your neighbourhood.

email: gardens@dpt.org.nz Telephone: 09 273 9650 Mobile: 021 824 573
Mission Statement
"He aha te kai o te Rangitira? He Korero, he korero, he korero.
What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge, it is communication."