One of our school’s core mercy values is Manaakitanga – but what does that mean? Essentially, it’s caring for other people and the environment that surrounds us, and at Carmel College we are able to do so through our own Service Garden: Te Māra Āwhina.
The Service Garden Project began not long ago in 2024, and continues to provide our students with the opportunity to nurture the land that gives so much to us, as well as a way to connect with our peers and empower each other through service. With the help of our own students’ initiative, Bunning’s donations and Localised’ help, our garden was built. You can find the garden near the food tech block at the front of the school, with students regularly seen tending the garden – using sustainable gardening practices to ensure zero waste is produced.
In it, you can find all sorts of fruits, vegetables and herbs, planted in order to serve our local and wider community. The project’s main goal is to promote Manaakitanga and serve others. So far, the garden has donated produce to The Good Works Trust (our local Food Bank), Kindercare Milford and our own school staff – maintaining a steady cycle of helping and giving. We aim to help people currently struggling with food insecurity, and contribute to agencies that already assist them daily. Currently, the project is run by the Year 11 Health students and students who are kind enough to volunteer in our mission.
Therefore, in order to keep the garden running efficiently, there is one main thing we are looking for: STUDENTS! Getting involved in the programme not only strengthens our Manaakitanga value, but it’s also a great way to gain service hours while learning a practical skill. As a volunteer, you would tend to the plants and the garden, weeding, watering, pruning, fertilising, harvesting and transporting fresh vegetables to our local food bank. You would be helping at lunchtime or after school – ideally once a week and once during the holidays to maintain the garden. If you’re up for the challenge, you can sign up by contacting Ginny Peek gpeek@carmel.school.nz. Then you simply scan a QR code every time you are in the garden.
Genesis 2:15 tells us “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – We are meant to look for our environment, and Te Māra Āwhina is our “Garden of Eden” here at Carmel. As Mercy Women, our mission states Care as a core value and we must do everything we can to serve others and our environment. Join us in our fight against food insecurity in our community and sign up to our Service Garden.
“To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn
Bernie Hoyo Gibson, Year 11
