About The Sustainable Living Centre
The Golden Bay Community Gardens began in 1986 to serve the community in organic food production, education and community building. Te Wharerangi Trust was incorporated in 1991 as a Charitable Trust to administer the project. We lease over one hectare of Māori freehold land, owned by its customary owners. It is part of a larger original papakainga, which encompassed the Tākaka area.
We acknowledge the Owners of this land, the direct descendants of Rameka Te Ketu and Meri Mataiawa, who belong to the iwi of Ngati Tama. Our vision is a world where communities of people are deeply connected to nature and each other, life is sustainable, and food is healthy. We promote regenerative organic practices and sustainable living, though sharing and knowledge and resources and providing facilities for community connection.
The Sustainable Living Centre works to create a local food hub, regenerative market garden, garden allotments, supply garden resources, offers education programmes and info hub, community events, venue hire, pop up cafes, volunteer opportunities, and aim to support community enterprises. Come and join our community and share in creating sustainable practices and ways of life.
The History of the Sustainable Living Centre
Growth
2000 - 2007
Our organic bulk food coop formed the Organic Shop in Tākaka township.
Local employment initiatives and food production schemes were started up.
The community gardens employed a full time market garden coordinator and supplied restaurants, cafes and supermarket with organic produce.
The education programs ran strong and funding was readily available for youth and adult learning.
The Correction scheme uses the Community Gardens as a place for community service for offenders. This scheme is still running today.
A large worm farm was in operation for food scraps of the GB High School.
Planet Organic was established and ran 1 year permaculture courses from the Community Gardens.
Beginnings
1986 - 2000
In 1986 the Community Gardens were formed on lease land at 24 Waitapu Road. Te Wharerangi Trust was incorporated in 1991 as a Charitable Trust (CC22857) to administer the project. We leased two hectares of Māori freehold land, owned by its customary owners. It is part of a larger original papakainga, which encompassed the Tākaka area.
We acknowledge the Owners of this land, the direct descendants of Rameka Te Ketu and Meri Mataiawa, who belong to the iwi of Ngati Tama. Education programs were run and food was grown through grower’s collectives. The hexagonal building with sundried man built earth bricks was built by the local community as well our rammed earth building. These building served the community with various social enterprises, homeschool groups and as event spaces.
Recent times
2015 – present
Continuous ventures were established with growing seedlings, café spaces. Involvement with schools increased in helping setting up gardens on their premises as well running nature based programs on this land. Still running till today. In 2018 we became the Sustainable Living Centre, ran twice annual 10 weeks Sustainable Living Courses and organized an annual Sustainability Hui to bring together all regenerative and innovative wholesome initiatives locally and in wider region. Project Mohua, Mohua Strategy 2040 group and many other community groups were formed out of discussion panels at these Hui’s.
Market garden operation and local food shop got reestablished. The SLC now employs 4 part time workers to safeguard food and community resilience in Golden Bay.
In 2023 Māori Land Trust was formed representing owners and are now connecting back with their land. We now lease 1.2 hectares of land.
