Project Story

We believe the biggest challenges facing communities are interconnected, and so the solutions need to be too.

Our integrated model focuses on three interconnected areas:

Hauora (Wellbeing): Therapeutic services that build resilience, connection, and healing. Services that are in relationship to place and community.
Akoranga (Learning): Place-based education, youth empowerment, and community capability building. Growing the skills to navigate uncertain futures.
Taiao (Ecology): Ecological restoration, native plant propagation, food sovereignty, and regenerative land stewardship. Restoration that is informed by aspirations of community and history of place.

Image: Community Farm Tour

From Farm to Community Hub

What started as a quiet, undeveloped organic farm has transformed into a thriving community hub engaging over 2,000 people annually. Our passionate team of facilitators, therapists, horticulturalists, and native foresters, alongside strong partnerships with volunteers, schools, iwi, local government, and community organisations, has made this vision possible.

We've proven that inclusive, land-based learning environments can engage people and communities that are left behind by mainstream systems. One learner having a transformational experience from these courses can have a ripple effect that inspires peers, unites families and brings meaning to their lives. Our work is increasingly recognised as a model for equitable, integrated, place-based community development.

Image: Children on Nature Quest school holiday programme engaging with clay from the land

Building Accessibility

As we develop essential infrastructure including a holistic wellness space and classroom, we're prioritising accessibility from day one. Your support will fund ramps, accessible doorways, appropriate signage, and facilities for people using wheelchairs, crutches, or requiring visual and intellectual support.

Funding Goal: $10,000–$20,000 NZD

Project Timeline:

April - May 2026 - sought advice from accessibility community
July - September 2026 - build ramp, deck, toilet and accessibility signage for yurt (holistic clinic)
September 2026 - December 2027 - build classroom/hall with accessibility ramps, doorways, toilet and signage

Image: Holistic Wellbeing yurt with deck + ramp missing

Image: The inside of the wellbeing clinic/yurt for individual and group therapy

We're imagining new ways of thriving together, to enable community healing, adaptation and co-creation of an equitable and resilient shared future.

You can view our Annual Impact Stories here.