As the project has evolved over the last 2 years, we have realised that Roimata Food Commons is about our people in the community, and the space invites us to think about our connection with each other, with food and with nature.  Everyone is welcome to visit Roimata Food Commons, it is a public space.

Vision for the 2026-27 growing season

Goal 1: Establishing a Rongoā (Medicinal Herb) Bed

Establish a dedicated Rongoā and medicinal herb bed at Roimata during the upcoming growing season (26-27)
Core Benefits:

• Cultivate a reliable, on-site supply of raw plant materials for traditional indigenous medicine.
• Ensure a low maintenance bed, that provides, without the need for continuous labor.
• Educate the community on plant-based medicinal properties.

Long-Term Impact: Preserve traditional knowledge and secure permanent, community-led access to natural, indigenous health resources.

Goal Two: Regenerative Leafy Greens for Neighbourhood Grazing

Implement a regenerative leafy greens zone designed specifically for open, communal neighbourhood grazing.

Core Outcomes:

• Introduce residents to the foundational principles of kai sovereignty and localized food security.
• Provide hands-on education regarding seed development, harvesting, and seed-saving techniques.
• Demonstrate a practical circular economy that builds self-reliance.

Long-Term Impact: Establish a resilient, self-sustaining food system that empowers the community to feed and sustain itself for generations.

A note concerning the hugelkultur bed: The council have agreed to leave this until it naturally breaks down, it will then be returned to grass.

Roimata Food Commons is situated in Radley Park, which is accessed off Cumnor Terrace and Riley Crescent, Woolston. It is bounded by the main channel of the river and the original course of the river just above the cut.

Our  vision is to create a multifaceted community food hub with fruit and berry orchards and large beds to grow vegetables and herbs. The produce from the orchard and garden can then be harvested by the local community to feed those who put time into the garden and/or to support those in need in their/our hapori/community.

It started in 2017 with the planting of 60+ heritage fruit and nut trees and over 500 South Island endemic native trees, shrubs and grasses.

The orchard areas are slowly transitioning into food forest based systems that will include a multitude of food producing and support plant layers.