Its latest initiative, called KiwiHomeHarvest, has been made possible by Liger Academy students Tyge Bradshaw, 14, Roques Smith, 15, and Joel van Beers, 15, who have designed planter boxes, perfect for those who don’t have the space to grow a garden at home.
KiwiHarvest Queenstown branch manager Gary Hough says given many people in the Basin live in apartments or rental pads, it can be hard for them to grow their own garden, "so this is a perfect solution".
"The boxes are a step in the right direction for future-proofing the Whakatipu Basin, as 100 years ago it was 95% self-sufficient — now it is only 5%," Hough says.
The planter boxes are made from recycled wooden pallets and have been designed to be portable.
They’re also low-maintenance — thanks to innovation from the students, who’ve designed a unique self-watering system inside, they only need to be watered once a month.
As well as designing the planter boxes, Tyge, Roques and Joel have dug in to oil and stain the wood, prepping them for construction. The boxes have been built entirely by volunteers, under the watchful eyes of the Liger students.
While all the planter boxes have already found homes, Hough says the idea is for there to be a yearly roll-out.
Naylor Love helped with the construction, Eco Store provided materials, Queenstowner Michael Sly donated compost, Bunnings Warehouse provided linseed oil, and Cherry Tree Farm, Sherwood and Tim Baker, of CropQT, chipped in with seedlings.
