Good Neighbours: The Partnerships Sustaining our Urban Oasis
As Kelmarna launches its new book Growing Together, the team has been reflecting on a remarkable milestone: more than four decades of being an organic, urban oasis. While central Auckland has been subject to intense development, Kelmarna has remained a constant – a community farm quietly building a food system that supports community health and well-being.
“This longevity comes down to relationships. Over the years, Kelmarna has built and maintained lots of local relationships that have been mutually nurturing,” says Grant Mouldey, Kelmarna’s Relationships Lead. “We have strong ties with many local businesses and other organisations in the kai network across the city. We also work closely with local schools to provide an outdoor classroom for young people to learn about food growing and natural processes. Over 500 volunteers give their time to Kelmarna every year to make sure we stand strong in our drive to provide food and learning opportunities for as many people as we can.”
Kelmarna’s neighbours have also played an important role in its success – stepping in with everything from lending vehicles to transport animals, to gardening and even plugging in extension cords to help power the annual Kelmarna Community Festival. It’s this kind of everyday generosity that keeps the farm thriving.
Among the newest neighbours is TwentyCo – a design and build company currently developing TEN TWENTY ONE, a cluster of eight beautiful houses designed by Ponting Fitzgerald Architects. TwentyCo has already become a key supporter, offering direct financial support for our festival and, most recently, TwentyCo is providing substantial support for the development of our education programme.
“Designing and building homes that border a green space and a community farm changes the way you think about place, amenity value and shared outcomes,” says Jodie Couwenberg from TwentyCo Management. “With the northern edge of our site opening to the reserve and Kelmarna’s gardens, we’ve always seen this development as one that strengthens the relationship between people and landscape. Supporting Kelmarna’s education programme is a natural extension of that. It’s about investing in the community you are part of.”
Kelmarna’s education programme plays a vital role in supporting the mental and physical well being of young people, by providing hands-on opportunities to learn about growing food, ecology and sustainability. TwentyCo’s support will enable the farm to reach more tamariki and rangatahi, and offer a programme that is a vital antidote to the many issues facing young people today.
“Getting more school students through our gates in 2026 is our objective, and we are looking forward to doubling the amount of young people learning at the farm,” says Grant. “The development of the Kelmarna’s programmes is made possible by open friendships, listening to people and upholding the web of relationships that holds us all together.”
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