Sanctuary Mahi Whenua
Tier 1 - Supreme
About
Sanctuary Mahi Whenua is a historic community garden and food forest in Mt Albert, Auckland, offering seasonal organic produce, herbs, and plants, while preserving biodiversity and Māori heritage.
Their Story
Welcome to the virtual home of the Sanctuary Mahi Whenua gardens and food forest, a precious, organic ecosystem in the heart of urban development. Much more than mandated ‘green space’ with mowed lawns and playground equipment, this irreplaceable local heritage site must not be lost to bulldozers…
What They Make
- Seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables (grown using organic principles)
- Fresh herbs (sold to local restaurants)
- Spinach (for Auckland Zoo animals)
- Native Puha (Sonchus oleraceus) (for Auckland Zoo animals)
- Kūmara (sweet potato) (gifted to low-decile schools and women's refuges)
- Food forest yields (including citrus, banana, apple, plum, guava, feijoa from approximately 120 different tree species)
- Various plant species (from around 400 documented species, including 140 tree species)
Awards & Recognition
- Auckland Create Your Own Eden competition — Gold award(2004)
More from Sanctuary Mahi Whenua
How to Get Their Products
Produce from communal areas is sold at the community table at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market (Sunday mornings) and has also been sold at the Alberton Market in Mt Albert. Direct purchase at the garden is possible during working bees or specific market days, but it is not set up as a retail shop.