Projects
Projects in and around the AUT Community gardens that you can get involved with!
Ongoing Projects
Past and upcoming projects in and around the AUT Community Gardens
Green Impact Programme
Green Impact is a team-based sustainability programme for staff and students to make change towards a more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable and resilient future. This internationally recognised competition provides practical actions that focus on combating issues in areas such as climate change, biodiversity loss and health and wellbeing in line with the Sustainability Development Goals. Teams undertake their choice of actions from a defined toolkit, compete against other AUT teams and get recognition for their efforts
AUT Outdoor Classroom
The AUT Outdoor Classroom, fronted by Mark Jones, was originally created as a suitable space for students of the Outdoor Education Major in the Bachelor of Sport and Recreation. Although the classroom is used mostly by OE students for field-trip planning and learning 'feral' outdoor skills, the space is also open for the community to utilise and enjoy for recreational activities. It provides a great alternative space for teaching in general, conducting meetings, having lunch, or just escaping to a unique space on campus. The next project in this space is to build a compostable toilet! Check out the classroom being built in this YouTube video.
AUT North Sensory Garden
Where: AUT Akoranga Campus
When: Ongoing
The AUT Sensory garden was designed and developed by Gayle Souter-Brown as part of her PHD research. The garden was designed to as a health promotion tool to measure the beneficial effects of a sensory garden on the health and well-being of people in the community. Anyone is free to use the gardens and they are located next to the AUT North CGI initiative between the library and AJ block.
Matariki Planting Day
Where: AUT Akoranga campus
When: Matariki Day 2021 (2/7/2021)
Contact: tammi.uluinayau@aut.ac.nz
Matariki (Māori New Year) is celebrated in June/July of each year. The Matariki gardens were created to celebrate Matariki and bring together people and groups from all walks of life, creating a space to learn, share knowledge and connect with the land and their unique ancestry. The gardens can be found outside the Whānau room at AUT North and are open to the community.
Garden workshops
Where: AUT Akoranga campus
When: Past/ongoing
Gardening workshops take place regularly across the three campuses. This one was run in April by Foodie Godmother, AUT Sustainability and Kaipatiki Environment Centre to educate people on planting and harvesting in raised beds. Keep your eyes peeled for further events and gardening workshops surrounding planting, composting, Bokashi, worm farms and more!
Compost Collective
Where: Multiple locations
When: Projects ongoing
Compost Collective is an Auckland based organisation that holds various gardening and composting workshops across many locations. In the past, events have been held at all three of AUT's Campuses and Gardens. Events and workshops are regular and you can find their event calendar below.
Organic Gardening Techniques Course
January 12, 2020
Come to our Organic Gardening Techniques Course class for a truly unique opportunity to learn something new. Meet other community members who share similar interests and enrich your understanding of our Community Garden. It’s a great way to expand your knowledge, socialize with friends, and gain practical skills all at the same time.
Gardening Introductory Course
January 12, 2020
Join our Gardening Introductory Course workshop for an opportunity to engage with our garden and other community members. Taking courses at our Community Garden is a great way of getting to know other like-minded individuals with similar interests while learning useful skills and benefiting from some fresh air.
Pacific Food Lab - Aotearoa
Where: AUT South Campus
When: ongoing
Contact: tracy.berno@aut.ac.nz
Pacific Food Lab -Aotearoa and our project, "Let’s Meet in the Kitchen" are all about the power of food to bring us together to share and have fun, celebrate and eat great food.
Past Events
Past Event AUT North
Garden workshop
August 5th, 2020
An event focused on how to start a vegetable garden and what to plant all year round.
Past Event AUT North
Working Bee Outdoor Classroom
June, 2019
A working bee was organised to build the AUT Outdoor Classroom for OE students! The next project coming up is a compostable toilet.
Past Event AUT North
Matariki planting day
June, 2019/ 2020
The Matariki planting day was held at AUT North Campus Matariki gardens in 2019 and will be held again in July 2021. Keep checking for more details.
