Pruning Day at Te Kura o Otangarei

AN AFTERNOON OF PRUNING AT TE KURA O OTANGAREI

Through this mahi, tamariki learn to build resilience, pride, and a deep connection to the whenua.

At the end of Term 3, the fruit trees in Te Kura o Otangarei’s expansive Garden Oasis orchard received some well-deserved attention and aroha in preparation for summer.

Guided by Garden to Table’s Regional Coordinator Vanessa Anderson and Year 0–4 Navigator Nics Henderson, a group of 14 Year 5 Dreamers rolled up their sleeves to learn the art of pruning. Nics, a resident gardening kaitiaki and one of the driving forces behind the Garden Oasis project, supported and encouraged the tamariki throughout the afternoon.

Dreamers have been caring for the māra since its establishment in 2023, which now has 45 fruit trees in its orchard, including lemon, feijoa, avocado, persimmon, and plum.

Vanessa explained that pruning helps fruit trees thrive by removing branches and shoots that block sunlight and airflow. This reduces disease risk, improves health, and encourages juicy fruit. She introduced the anatomy of a tree, showing how to identify feeder, scaffold, lateral, and spur shoots, and demonstrated how to shape each tree into a pyramid for optimal growth. Tamariki also learned the importance of weeding around roots and adding mulch to give trees space and energy to flourish.

Both Vanessa and Nics reminded the Dreamers that their role is to become experts and share their knowledge with others. By adulthood, they will know how to care for gardens and teach future generations.

The Garden Oasis is a joint initiative between I Have a Dream and Te Kura o Otangarei. It empowers tamariki to whanake (grow), hauhake (harvest), whakarite (prepare), and whāngai (share) fresh, affordable kai. The curriculum-linked programme allows students to learn core subjects while working in the garden and kitchen.

Initially supported by a grant from Harcourts Whangārei, the project has thrived thanks to further support from I Have a Dream partners, Sudburys, who have done two working bees at the Kura, planting 23 fruit trees, revitalising garden beds, and even building a grape pergola. Another working bee is planned for December.

Beyond the orchard, the Garden Oasis includes a rongoā garden, seasonal vegetables, and two beehives donated by Tahi, which has guided tamariki in honey cultivation as part of its Bee Friends Programme. Te Kura o Otangarei now produces more honey than any other school in the region.

Among the many trees are two Titoki, gifted through the Paper4trees programme. This initiative rewards schools for recycling paper and cardboard by providing a native tree for every two cubic metres diverted from landfill.

Garden to Table supports kura across Te Tai Tokerau, from Te Hapua in the far north to Kaiwaka and Kaihu Valley on the west coast. Their kaupapa is simple and transformative: take learning out of the classroom and into the māra kai and kīhini.

Through this mahi, tamariki learn to build resilience, pride, and a deep connection to the whenua. Thanks to leaders like Vanessa and Nics, they are growing into the kaitiaki of tomorrow.