Totara Gardenz

11/09/2026

10/09/2026

Save the Date: 28/29 September 2026 - Napier. Program out next week.

10/09/2026

The kererū, kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of our māra kai feasting on our plum tree buds and leaves and ngahere (forest), a taonga (cultural treasure) holds the mauri (life force) of the ecosystem in its wings.

A living symbol of fertility, abundance, and peace. Its status as a revered treasure stems from a blend of biological necessity, deep history, and sacred legends.

A Historical Taonga Kai (Treasure of Sustenance) the kererū was one of the most vital taonga kai (treasured food sources) for iwi, particularly during autumn when they grew plump on forest berries.

The Ultimate Gift, the kereru gave its life to feed the people, it demonstrated the ultimate capacity to care for human prosperity. Kaumātua (elders) and tohunga (experts) were explicitly tasked with guarding the mana and mauri of the bird.

The Ecological Kaitiaki, the kererū is the only native bird left with a beak and gape wide enough to swallow large native fruits whole (like karaka, tawa, taraire, and miro). By eating these fruits and spreading the seeds across vast distances, they actively plant the next generation of food-bearing trees. The kererū are the original "gardeners of the sky," The Master Gardener, safeguarding the food baskets (pātaka) of both birds and humans.

07/09/2026

Starting your own māra kai (food garden) in Wairoa is a powerful way to connect with the whenua, build independence, and grow fresh, healthy food for your whānau. It may be small, but it has the potential to grow and produce.

Start Small and Keep it Simple
Begin with a pot, bucket, or small patch.
You do not need a massive plot to begin.
A container on the porch or a small raised garden bed.

Buy seedlings if needed.
Don't overcomplicate it by starting every single thing from seed on your first try.

Grab a few hardy vegetable seedlings from Totara Gardenz and support local to see our Heirloom and Open-pollinated seedling range at 20 Lahore Street cnr of Rutherford Street, Wairoa.

07/09/2026

Grow and gather your own kai for whānau with an interest in Mahinga Kai – Māori Food Production, Harvesting, and Management.

Develop the knowledge and skills so you can grow and gather your own kai for your whānau.

Learn the traditional methods from your rohe and be able to pass this knowledge on to future generations.

Interested in learning how to grow and gather your own kai? 🌿

Starting on the 25th of September, our Mahinga Kai course will help you develop the knowledge and skills to produce food for your whānau, learn traditional practices from your rohe and draw on the experience of tutor Larrissa Cooper.

Enrol Now!

For more info and to enrol contact Maraea Wesche
[email protected] | 06 838 7349

06/09/2026

THE TECHNIQUE OF A SILAGE TARP
TRANSFORMING YOUR LAWN TO A NEW GARDEN

Gaining the knowledge and understanding to start a new garden. Mow your lawn on the lowest setting. Cover the garden area with the silage tarp grey side down and black side up using posts or sand bags to weigh the silage tarp down to avoid wind lifting the silage tarp. The silage tarp can be cut to the size of your new garden.

Leave in place for about 6 weeks. All vegetation is killed by lack of moisture and light plus it gets really hot under there. W**d seeds on the soil surface will sprout and die. After the 6 week period the area is ready to remove the silage tarps and lay compost to plant your cover crop which I will use lupins.

To finish a planted cover crop, flatten or mow. Cover with the tarp and leave in place until all vegetation is digested. Time will vary with temperature and how much vegetation to breakdown. Once all is broken down it is ready for laying compost on garden beds, not pathways and plant your vegetable seedlings.

When vegetables are harvested use a silage tarp to cover the beds and pathways to prevent w**d germination before you plant your next vegetable seedlings if required.

04/09/2026

Thank you everyone for purchasing seedlings and produce, and your korero with what's happening in your maara kai, our whenua is so precious to us.

Nga mihi nui
Raylene Murray-Macgregor

04/09/2026

SILVERBEET, SWISS CHARD, PERPETUAL SPINACH SEEDLING MIX

Silverbeet Bright Yellow is open-pollinated, with yellow stems of this Swiss chard contrast beautifully with its glossy dark-green leaves.

Silverbeet Ruby Red is open-pollinated, with vibrant red-stemmed selection of Swiss chard to add colour and flavour with its mild taste.

Perpetual Spinach an heirloom is cold-hardy biennial often grown as an annual, offers a spinach-like leaf, though somewhat stronger in flavour and texture, that can be harvested continuously.

04/09/2026

TRIPLE CURLY PARSLEY SEEDLINGS

One of the oldest and most commonly grown open-pollinated heirloom varieties available.

Densely, dark green, and heavily frilled leaves on strong stalks. A favourite for garnishing all kinds of appetisers and dishes and adding flavour to meals.

Perfect for pots and in your garden. Prefers cooler temperatures and moist well-drained soils. Biennial plant that is usually grown as an annual.

04/09/2026

CAULIFLOWER ALL SEASONS SEEDLINGS

An easy to grow, reliable and popular classic open-pollinated variety. Well known for its reliability and adaptability across multiple growing seasons. It can be sown in the summer and let to overwinter for the harvest early in the following year.

It has small and very versatile, hardy, compact plants with large dense white heads. It needs rich well manured and free draining soil. Can be stored well.

Cauliflower is a very healthy and versatile vegetable.