Community garden on show

Some of those who helped establish the new Lawrence Community Garden, ''Kai Oranga Tuapeka'', (clockwise from back left) Cheryl Robertson, Konica Ponsonby, Rachael Riley and Natasha Hughes, all of Lawrence, Bronny Bugden, of Milton, and Nick Wolfe, of Lawrence, sit alongside one of the scarecrows built for the garden by pupils of Lawrence Area and Waitahuna Schools.

Mrs Hughes was the tutor for the certificate in kai oranga offered through Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, an indigenous tertiary education provider in Whakatane.

The 15 adults on the course established the garden, in the grounds of the Lawrence Medical Centre, and an open day yesterday showcased the garden and its place in the community, Mrs Hughes said.

''It's about planting a seed and having some fun for the kids, to understand that you can grow your own kai, and for the community to say 'where to from here?'.''

The food produced in the garden would be shared with the community, she said.