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AUT Community Gardens

Located across Akoranga (North Shore), City, & Manukau campuses, Auckland

In 2024, international students planted over 150 native plants, Harakeke (flax), and Coprosma kirkii at AUT’s North Campus.
Now, one year on, these plants are thriving! They’re helping restore local biodiversity and bring more green life to our campus spaces.
Huge thanks to everyone who picked up a spade and helped make this happen — you’ve left a living legacy.

Keep an eye on the AUT app for upcoming native planting events.

In 2024, international students planted over 150 native plants, Harakeke (flax), and Coprosma kirkii at AUT’s North Campus.
Now, one year on, these plants are thriving! They’re helping restore local biodiversity and bring more green life to our campus spaces.
Huge thanks to everyone who picked up a spade and helped make this happen — you’ve left a living legacy.

Keep an eye on the AUT app for upcoming native planting events.

Join us for Waste Reduction Week – a celebration of simple, practical actions that make a big impact.
Discover easy ways to reduce waste, build sustainable habits, and rethink what we throw away. From workshops to film screenings, this week is all about helping you cut down on waste both on campus and in everyday life.

📲 Check the AUT App for the full schedule of events.

@autuni @aut.recreation @aut_library @autstudentassociation

Join us for Waste Reduction Week – a celebration of simple, practical actions that make a big impact.
Discover easy ways to reduce waste, build sustainable habits, and rethink what we throw away. From workshops to film screenings, this week is all about helping you cut down on waste both on campus and in everyday life.

📲 Check the AUT App for the full schedule of events.

@autuni @aut.recreation @aut_library @autstudentassociation

🌿 The new garden shed at the South Campus Māra Kai has arrived! This new shed will support ongoing projects and make the space more user-friendly! 🌱
With student groups using the garden throughout the year, this addition helps us get even more out of this beautiful, green space.
@autuni

🌿 The new garden shed at the South Campus Māra Kai has arrived! This new shed will support ongoing projects and make the space more user-friendly! 🌱
With student groups using the garden throughout the year, this addition helps us get even more out of this beautiful, green space.
@autuni

Lifestyle Nutrition students got their hands dirty these last few weeks.
As part of the paper, students planted vegetable seedlings to explore how growing your own food supports healthier, more sustainable eating habits.
From theory to practice, it's all about learning how small lifestyle changes can make a big impact. 🧑‍🌾📚
@autsportandrec @autuni

Lifestyle Nutrition students got their hands dirty these last few weeks.
As part of the paper, students planted vegetable seedlings to explore how growing your own food supports healthier, more sustainable eating habits.
From theory to practice, it's all about learning how small lifestyle changes can make a big impact. 🧑‍🌾📚
@autsportandrec @autuni

Introducing one of our partners - @pfl.aotearoa 🍏🌽🥕🥦
Pacific Food Lab – Aotearoa is one of the non-profits that works closely with AUT.
"Together, we contribute to sustainable food systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and the broader Pacific region by connecting and collaborating with chefs, farmers, food producers, academics, and scientists. We aim to support the development of resilient and regenerative food systems, particularly in relation to the challenges that sustainable development presents, by contributing to food-centric projects that promote the health and well-being of our communities. Our long-term goal is to use food as a means to improve the quality of people’s lives, as well as the communities where they live, work, and play."
@autuni

Introducing one of our partners - @pfl.aotearoa 🍏🌽🥕🥦
Pacific Food Lab – Aotearoa is one of the non-profits that works closely with AUT.
"Together, we contribute to sustainable food systems in Aotearoa New Zealand and the broader Pacific region by connecting and collaborating with chefs, farmers, food producers, academics, and scientists. We aim to support the development of resilient and regenerative food systems, particularly in relation to the challenges that sustainable development presents, by contributing to food-centric projects that promote the health and well-being of our communities. Our long-term goal is to use food as a means to improve the quality of people’s lives, as well as the communities where they live, work, and play."
@autuni

The South campus raised garden beds have been flourishing this summer under the care of Manaaki scholarship students.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are full tertiary scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate academic study in New Zealand available to eligible international students from ASEAN and Pacific regions.
By being involved in the South campus garden club, Schollars get to connect, share, and contribute caring over something that will grow over the semester.
@autuni

The South campus raised garden beds have been flourishing this summer under the care of Manaaki scholarship students.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are full tertiary scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate academic study in New Zealand available to eligible international students from ASEAN and Pacific regions.
By being involved in the South campus garden club, Schollars get to connect, share, and contribute caring over something that will grow over the semester.
@autuni

While very tempting, if you're not a bee, please don't take from the Kōkihi Cafe gardens.
These gardens are part of a bigger vision to create a circular food system on campus. The produce is to be incorporated into cafe food for students to enjoy throughout the semester. 🍃

While very tempting, if you're not a bee, please don't take from the Kōkihi Cafe gardens.
These gardens are part of a bigger vision to create a circular food system on campus. The produce is to be incorporated into cafe food for students to enjoy throughout the semester. 🍃

Brilliant sunflower seedlings and blooms from students in the Masters of Teaching and Learning in early childhood. 🌻
Many of the students in the class are international students in ECE and new to the country. It was a great pleasure to see the seedlings sprout.
The act of growing a seed and nurturing a plant represents growth and connection with the whenua, and supports students in in developing a sense of belonging and kaitiakitanga for Aotearoa.
Mauri ora 🍃

Brilliant sunflower seedlings and blooms from students in the Masters of Teaching and Learning in early childhood. 🌻
Many of the students in the class are international students in ECE and new to the country. It was a great pleasure to see the seedlings sprout.
The act of growing a seed and nurturing a plant represents growth and connection with the whenua, and supports students in in developing a sense of belonging and kaitiakitanga for Aotearoa.
Mauri ora 🍃

Kōkihi Cafe gardens in full bloom 🌻

Kōkihi Cafe gardens in full bloom 🌻

We're baaaack!
The new Kōkihi Cafe gardens have been growing in full force this summer. You can still catch a glimpse of some of the bounty from beans, chillies, and cucumbers.
Unfortunately, we have learned that we need to put signs up for onlookers as these gardens were set up to service the cafe and not meant to be a free for all 😮.
Remember, if you're looking to take picking from any community garden, be nice about it and be gentle on the plant - no destructive yanking, thanks!

We're baaaack!
The new Kōkihi Cafe gardens have been growing in full force this summer. You can still catch a glimpse of some of the bounty from beans, chillies, and cucumbers.
Unfortunately, we have learned that we need to put signs up for onlookers as these gardens were set up to service the cafe and not meant to be a free for all 😮.
Remember, if you're looking to take picking from any community garden, be nice about it and be gentle on the plant - no destructive yanking, thanks!

Have you noticed changes in the AF courtyard?
A whole new kit of planter boxes was installed earlier in October. These fully irrigated beds have been built with the intention of servicing Kōkihi Cafe, reducing food waste and cost.
Some of us met with Head Chef of hospitality services at AUT, Matt Farley, to learn about his vision for the new gardens. Matt has plans to plant a collection of interesting and uncommon species in the gardens, including a variety of chillies.
This summer will be the first test run of the beds. They should be full of life by the time students come back for semester 1 in 2025.
@autsportandrec @autuni
#lovefoodhatewaste #foodwaste #communitygarden #sustainability

Have you noticed changes in the AF courtyard?
A whole new kit of planter boxes was installed earlier in October. These fully irrigated beds have been built with the intention of servicing Kōkihi Cafe, reducing food waste and cost.
Some of us met with Head Chef of hospitality services at AUT, Matt Farley, to learn about his vision for the new gardens. Matt has plans to plant a collection of interesting and uncommon species in the gardens, including a variety of chillies.
This summer will be the first test run of the beds. They should be full of life by the time students come back for semester 1 in 2025.
@autsportandrec @autuni
#lovefoodhatewaste #foodwaste #communitygarden #sustainability

Have you noticed the number of native trees at Akoranga campus? Over 17 native trees have been planted on campus in recent years. The native kawakawa and Horopito were some of the early additions to the AE Mara.
The Kawakawa got flooded in the summer flooding of 2023, but they have managed to recover. You will find young Kawakawa shoots poking out from under the walkway in the AE block.

Have you noticed the number of native trees at Akoranga campus? Over 17 native trees have been planted on campus in recent years. The native kawakawa and Horopito were some of the early additions to the AE Mara.
The Kawakawa got flooded in the summer flooding of 2023, but they have managed to recover. You will find young Kawakawa shoots poking out from under the walkway in the AE block.

A cosy spot to eat your lunch now that the weather is brightening up on campus.
#communitygarden

A cosy spot to eat your lunch now that the weather is brightening up on campus.
#communitygarden

As the weather is starting to warm up it's a great time to start your planting for the summer season. 🌱
Associate Professor Caryn Zinn's veggie patch of green beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and herbs is looking very promising for the season ahead... As long as she can keep the rabbits out of it. 🐰
#sustainability #veggiegarden #autsportandrec #communitygarden

As the weather is starting to warm up it's a great time to start your planting for the summer season. 🌱
Associate Professor Caryn Zinn's veggie patch of green beans, tomatoes, cucumber, and herbs is looking very promising for the season ahead... As long as she can keep the rabbits out of it. 🐰
#sustainability #veggiegarden #autsportandrec #communitygarden

Checking on the new little babies at Akoranga raised garden beds. These should take off in a few weeks with the warmer weather and spring showers.
I'm thinking of my own garden at home, which is in need of some TLC to get ready for spring planting.
#communitygarden

Checking on the new little babies at Akoranga raised garden beds. These should take off in a few weeks with the warmer weather and spring showers.
I'm thinking of my own garden at home, which is in need of some TLC to get ready for spring planting.
#communitygarden

Monster beetroots were exploding out of the AUT Akoranga community garden this week.
Sport and Exercise Nutrition students were thrilled to share the bounty after learning about the performance-enhancing benefits of beetroot supplements in class.
@autsportandrec
#communitygarden

Monster beetroots were exploding out of the AUT Akoranga community garden this week.
Sport and Exercise Nutrition students were thrilled to share the bounty after learning about the performance-enhancing benefits of beetroot supplements in class.
@autsportandrec
#communitygarden

Vegetables and herbs planted earlier in the year are now coming to the end of the season. We're getting ready for another lot of planting this spring. If you take a visit to the Akoranga raised garden beds, you will still find a little bit of kale and herbs.
Look how excited BSr students were to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
#sustainability #communitygarden #communitygardening

Vegetables and herbs planted earlier in the year are now coming to the end of the season. We're getting ready for another lot of planting this spring. If you take a visit to the Akoranga raised garden beds, you will still find a little bit of kale and herbs.
Look how excited BSr students were to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
#sustainability #communitygarden #communitygardening

Fundraising movie screening for Kelmarna Community Farm
Friday 9th August 5.30pm – 8pm, WG Building, WG126.
$15, $30 or $45 per person.
All tickets include post film reception with drinks and canapes by BA Culinary Arts students.
@pfl.aotearoa @autuni

Fundraising movie screening for Kelmarna Community Farm
Friday 9th August 5.30pm – 8pm, WG Building, WG126.
$15, $30 or $45 per person.
All tickets include post film reception with drinks and canapes by BA Culinary Arts students.
@pfl.aotearoa @autuni

South Campus garden beds in action.
Our South campus raised garden bed grove is located across the field behind ME block. These mighty gardens have a fully automated irrigation system, which makes growing produce a breeze.
The plants grew so well this year that the BSR Lifestyle Nutrition students had difficulty identifying whether their green growth was basil or weeds.
Hugely satisfying at the end to see the lettuces and herbs flourish.
If you're keen to get stuck in, the gardening club will be back next week at 11 am on Monday morning at the garden beds.
#communitygardens
@aut.gymsouth @autsportandrec @autuni

South Campus garden beds in action.
Our South campus raised garden bed grove is located across the field behind ME block. These mighty gardens have a fully automated irrigation system, which makes growing produce a breeze.
The plants grew so well this year that the BSR Lifestyle Nutrition students had difficulty identifying whether their green growth was basil or weeds.
Hugely satisfying at the end to see the lettuces and herbs flourish.
If you're keen to get stuck in, the gardening club will be back next week at 11 am on Monday morning at the garden beds.
#communitygardens
@aut.gymsouth @autsportandrec @autuni

Throw back to the Lifestyle Nutrition x Culinary Arts co-lab from Semester 1 2024. Students collaborated with the hospitality team at AUT in the City campus to create a stunning batch of kimchi using produce from the city rooftop garden in the WH building.
Baechu Kimchi will be available to purchase at Winter Series which will be running from Friday the 9th of August to Friday the 16th of August. The Slow Food Auckland Marketplace, where you will find this delicious probiotic goodness, will be held on Tuesday the 13th of August from 10am–2pm, WG Building, Sir Paul Reeves Atrium.
#probiotic #fermentedfood #guthealth #kimchi
@autuni @autsportandrec

Throw back to the Lifestyle Nutrition x Culinary Arts co-lab from Semester 1 2024. Students collaborated with the hospitality team at AUT in the City campus to create a stunning batch of kimchi using produce from the city rooftop garden in the WH building.
Baechu Kimchi will be available to purchase at Winter Series which will be running from Friday the 9th of August to Friday the 16th of August. The Slow Food Auckland Marketplace, where you will find this delicious probiotic goodness, will be held on Tuesday the 13th of August from 10am–2pm, WG Building, Sir Paul Reeves Atrium.
#probiotic #fermentedfood #guthealth #kimchi
@autuni @autsportandrec

Stunning produce from Akoranga North campus raised garden beds. Lifestyle Nutrition students have been busy this semester with their Nutrition Sustainability projects.
While the semester has come to an end, the garden keeps on giving.
#autsportandrec #sustainability #communitygarden
@autsportandrec

Stunning produce from Akoranga North campus raised garden beds. Lifestyle Nutrition students have been busy this semester with their Nutrition Sustainability projects.
While the semester has come to an end, the garden keeps on giving.
#autsportandrec #sustainability #communitygarden
@autsportandrec

Introducing the latest addition to the AUT Akoganga community garden - three sparkling new raised garden beds. 🌱
Lifestyle Nutrition (BSR) students Blake, Kosta, Jacob, and Conal initially thought they were meeting with grounds maintenance manager Niven Winder to plan their garden for the semester. Little did they know, they had signed up for an afternoon of manual labour. 💪
Swipe through to see the Lads prep the foundation, build the beds, and fill them with nutrient-rich soil and seedlings for their semester project.
@autsportandrec @autuni

Introducing the latest addition to the AUT Akoganga community garden - three sparkling new raised garden beds. 🌱
Lifestyle Nutrition (BSR) students Blake, Kosta, Jacob, and Conal initially thought they were meeting with grounds maintenance manager Niven Winder to plan their garden for the semester. Little did they know, they had signed up for an afternoon of manual labour. 💪
Swipe through to see the Lads prep the foundation, build the beds, and fill them with nutrient-rich soil and seedlings for their semester project.
@autsportandrec @autuni

Throwback to our Lifestyle Nutrition students from 2023.The Akoranga campus raised vegetable garden is located just outside AJ block and behind the library. Students select their own seedlings to plant and tend to. By the end of the semester, produce is harvested to create a healthy meal to share. 🥦👏
@autsportandrec

Throwback to our Lifestyle Nutrition students from 2023.The Akoranga campus raised vegetable garden is located just outside AJ block and behind the library. Students select their own seedlings to plant and tend to. By the end of the semester, produce is harvested to create a healthy meal to share. 🥦👏
@autsportandrec

AUT City Campus rooftop garden - a haven in the concrete jungle.
Last week I visited the rooftop garden before going into my oral defence for my PhD (which is held in the city). Hosting herbs, strawberries, and the remainder of the summer grapes, the rooftop garden offered a sanctuary to relax, eat lunch, and calm the nerves.
This is the place to know about when you're looking for a place to relax away from the buzz of the city campus.
@autsportandrec @autuni @autsprinz

AUT City Campus rooftop garden - a haven in the concrete jungle.
Last week I visited the rooftop garden before going into my oral defence for my PhD (which is held in the city). Hosting herbs, strawberries, and the remainder of the summer grapes, the rooftop garden offered a sanctuary to relax, eat lunch, and calm the nerves.
This is the place to know about when you're looking for a place to relax away from the buzz of the city campus.
@autsportandrec @autuni @autsprinz

North Campus Hangi today, 1 pm at AE101.
Lifestyle Nutrition students, Patrice, Mads, and Elise, have been working behind the scenes to prepare the hangi as a part of their NSP project. If you're around today, enjoy some kai and sunshine.

North Campus Hangi today, 1 pm at AE101.
Lifestyle Nutrition students, Patrice, Mads, and Elise, have been working behind the scenes to prepare the hangi as a part of their NSP project. If you're around today, enjoy some kai and sunshine.

Throwback to our campus hangi in 2023. These Sport and Recreation Lifestyle Nutrition lads, Mareko, Jake, Kotua, and Aaron, took up the challenge of supporting a hangi to feed 200 students on Akoranga campus. Now, both North and South AUT campuses are home to permanent hangi pits to prepare delicious, healthy kai for events across the year.
@autsportandrec
#hangi #communitygarden #sustainability

Throwback to our campus hangi in 2023. These Sport and Recreation Lifestyle Nutrition lads, Mareko, Jake, Kotua, and Aaron, took up the challenge of supporting a hangi to feed 200 students on Akoranga campus. Now, both North and South AUT campuses are home to permanent hangi pits to prepare delicious, healthy kai for events across the year.
@autsportandrec
#hangi #communitygarden #sustainability

Featuring my own (Sylvia - Lifestyle Nutrition lecturer) little growing experiment at home. Radishes are dead-easy to grow. In fact, they grow so well, that if you don't watch them, you'll end up with ginormous ones.

Featuring my own (Sylvia - Lifestyle Nutrition lecturer) little growing experiment at home. Radishes are dead-easy to grow. In fact, they grow so well, that if you don't watch them, you'll end up with ginormous ones.

Our AUT Community Garden website is where we collect and share information about past and current projects around each of the three AUT campuses.
Check us out at autcommunitygardens.com

Our AUT Community Garden website is where we collect and share information about past and current projects around each of the three AUT campuses.
Check us out at autcommunitygardens.com

Throwback to our students from Lifestyle Nutrition in semester 1, 2023.
AUT South Campus is home to 12 raised garden beds. These are used by the AUT South Garden Club and for various student projects across the year.
Shoutout to Oliver Coxhead who's the chief overseer and maintenance guy for this space.
@autsportandrec

Throwback to our students from Lifestyle Nutrition in semester 1, 2023.
AUT South Campus is home to 12 raised garden beds. These are used by the AUT South Garden Club and for various student projects across the year.
Shoutout to Oliver Coxhead who's the chief overseer and maintenance guy for this space.
@autsportandrec

Throwback to one of our Lifestyle Nutrition student groups from semester 1, 2023. Shaun, Nick, Matt, and EJ got stuck-in at West Lynn Garden Centre @westlynngarden
🍃
From EJ: "Throughout our session, we learned as a group about the positives gardening presents. This strengthened our relationship with each other and build new relationships with the members of the West Lynn Garden Centre. The video presents our wonderful experience and we were appreciative and grateful for the experiences and opportunity."

Throwback to one of our Lifestyle Nutrition student groups from semester 1, 2023. Shaun, Nick, Matt, and EJ got stuck-in at West Lynn Garden Centre @westlynngarden
🍃
From EJ: "Throughout our session, we learned as a group about the positives gardening presents. This strengthened our relationship with each other and build new relationships with the members of the West Lynn Garden Centre. The video presents our wonderful experience and we were appreciative and grateful for the experiences and opportunity."

Lifestyle Nutrition, a third-year paper within the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at AUT Akoranga campus is also shared with NorthTech. Student projects from NorthTech are featured over at @whangareicommunitygarden
@autsportandrec

Lifestyle Nutrition, a third-year paper within the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at AUT Akoranga campus is also shared with NorthTech. Student projects from NorthTech are featured over at @whangareicommunitygarden
@autsportandrec

AUT Akoranga campus is home to four fantastic @carboncyclecompostThe AUT Akoranga campus is home to four fantastic @carboncyclecompost compost bins, fully geared up to provide nutrient-dense compost for our gardens.
Tim Bowater and Richard Wallis from @carboncyclecompost came and spoke with the Lifestyle Nutrition students about compost, soil health, and planetary health.
@autsportandrec

AUT Akoranga campus is home to four fantastic @carboncyclecompostThe AUT Akoranga campus is home to four fantastic @carboncyclecompost compost bins, fully geared up to provide nutrient-dense compost for our gardens.
Tim Bowater and Richard Wallis from @carboncyclecompost came and spoke with the Lifestyle Nutrition students about compost, soil health, and planetary health.
@autsportandrec

Our AUT Akoranga campus planter boxes at the beginning of the semester before the beds were refreshed and planted by our Sport and Recreation Lifestyle Nutrition class.
@autsportandrec

Our AUT Akoranga campus planter boxes at the beginning of the semester before the beds were refreshed and planted by our Sport and Recreation Lifestyle Nutrition class.
@autsportandrec

Come along as we show you how to find the hidden Papa Māra garden in the WH Building.
Video credit: AUT Communications

Come along as we show you how to find the hidden Papa Māra garden in the WH Building.
Video credit: AUT Communications

Hidden garden at City Campus.
The Papa Māra Terrace Garden at City Campus is a unique terrace garden siting on Level 4 of WH Building. This is a space where staff and students can come together to enjoy outdoor gardening activities or use as a relaxing space away from the busy city centre.

Read more on the blog at autcommunitygardens.com

Hidden garden at City Campus.
The Papa Māra Terrace Garden at City Campus is a unique terrace garden siting on Level 4 of WH Building. This is a space where staff and students can come together to enjoy outdoor gardening activities or use as a relaxing space away from the busy city centre.

Read more on the blog at autcommunitygardens.com

Niven Winder talks about the fruit orchard as an AUT strategic sustainability initiative.

Niven Winder talks about the fruit orchard as an AUT strategic sustainability initiative.

Sweet pickings from Akoranga raised garden beds.
These little broccoli stems look like they will be the last of the broccoli from last year's harvest before the garden beds are cleaned out and prepared for new planting.

Sweet pickings from Akoranga raised garden beds.
These little broccoli stems look like they will be the last of the broccoli from last year's harvest before the garden beds are cleaned out and prepared for new planting.

Matariki mara kai at AUT Akoranga campus.

Matariki mara kai at AUT Akoranga campus.

Fruit orchard at AUT Akoranga North Campus.
#communitygarden
@autsportandrec

Fruit orchard at AUT Akoranga North Campus.
#communitygarden
@autsportandrec

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