About The Sustainable Living Centre
The Sustainable Living Centre, formerly known as the Golden Bay Community Gardens, has been a hub of sustainability, education, and community connection since 1986. Initially founded to support local organic food production, education, and community building; we have grown into a vibrant space with partnerships with Tasman District Council, Nelson Tasman Climate Forum and Mohua 2042 Trust. We are as space where key players and communities come together to stay in touch with innovative regenerative and sustainable practices that benefit humans and the planet.
The Te Wharerangi Trust, incorporated in 1991 as a Charitable Trust, oversees the project which has a large scope:
Gardens - Our gardens are located on over one hectare of Māori freehold land, owned by the descendants of Rameka Te Ketu and Meri Mataiawa of Ngāti Tama iwi. This land is part of a larger original papakainga, encompassing the Tākaka area. We have a small orchard of heritage fruit trees, a demonstration market garden, allotments available for locals, and community gathering spaces.
Buildings to rent - We have a number of facilities for the community to hire for gatherings, workshops. It supports the local Home-school group, Men’s Groups, music teaching and other offerings.
Education - We run a multiple week Sustainability Course each year; in addition to 2 Sustainability Months with day workshops for locals to attend. We host volunteers to a month-long program to learn more about regenerative and organic growing. We also cater for specific youth education programs with partnerships like Whenua Iti and Papa Taio. For over 30 years we have facilitated learning opportunities to the Corrections Departments community service for offenders scheme.
Info Hub - through our bi-annual Sustainable Hui’s we network and present new initiatives and follow ups of regenerative and sustainable practices by inviting key players to the wider community.
Kai Resilience - We are running a project with Mohua 2042 (supported by HealthPost, Trash Palace, Top of the South and TDC grants). This aims to map, preserve and distribute the abundance of Mohua and increase kai resilience. (see here for more info.)
Mohua Compost Collective - With Tasman District Council & Helping Hands we are offering a free food scraps composting service for locals and tourists; minimizing waste and educating people in all things compost. (see here for more info.)
Food stall - Our demonstration market garden and orchard produces abundance which we sell on-site for our locals to have access to affordable regeneratively grown food. Any excess is donated to Food bank of Mohua Social Services
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to regenerative organic practices, sustainable living, and a vision where communities are deeply connected to nature and one another. We believe that healthy food, sustainable practices, and community engagement go hand in hand.
Our Vision:
We envision a world where communities are deeply connected to nature and one another, where life is sustainable, and food is healthy. Through the Golden Bay Community Gardens, we aim to bring this vision to life by promoting regenerative organic practices, fostering sustainable living, and creating a space where everyone is welcome to participate and contribute.
We are excited to continue this journey and are deeply grateful for the support of our funders, volunteers, and community members. With your help, we can build a more sustainable and connected Golden Bay for generations to come.
Our need:
We are one of the oldest and largest Community Gardens in Aotearoa. We have large overheads to keep us going, and a lot of land to maintain and support. Funding will help us to:
Expand our educational programs, reaching more community members and providing greater opportunities for hands-on learning in regenerative organic farming and permaculture.
Enhance our ability to donate fresh, organic food to the local food bank and increase our contributions to local food security.
Improve our infrastructure, providing the tools, systems, and resources needed to make our gardens more productive, sustainable, and accessible.
Continue to host community events and workshops that bring people together, share knowledge, and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.
We invite you to join us in supporting our mission. Together, we can continue to grow a healthier, more resilient community and a sustainable future for Golden Bay.
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 organised 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.
