Growing Local
Growing Local is our new temporary exhibition telling the history of people growing and selling food locally in Whangarei...
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hangarei has always been an important area for growing food due to its volcanic soils and climate. Local Maori tribes had massive areas for gardening crops like taro and kumara, such as at Tawatawhiti at the base of Parihaka. They were also very quick to start growing and selling some new European crops when they were introduced by missionaries and traders in the early 1800s. While there were large gardens in Kamo and along the peninsula which were probably partly used for trade, the first purely commercial garden was located on the banks of the Hatea River, the area we now call the Town Basin, by John Petingale in the 1850s. He exported mostly fruit to Auckland markets. At this time nearly
were for family use but several were large market gardens selling their produce locally and to Auckland from where it was distributed around the country. As the local population grew and other areas in the country caught up on market gardening, many Whangarei grocers bought Auckland produce from auction houses like Turners and Walders Ltd.
Further markets were opened up by turning produce into canned foods, jams, cordials and wine. Local factories include Clark Bros. and Henry Driver’s canneries and Reed Brothers and Hoey & Sons bottling plants. A bigger population in the mid to late 20th century meant that gardens were being transformed into residential developments. For
are leading us in whanaungatanga, developing relationships through shared experiences and working together, providing people with a sense of belonging. They are inspiring us to get back to our roots and get back in our gardens to feed our families, our neighbours and those in need. The community gardens featured in the exhibition are Pehiaweri Marae Gardens,
example Dobbie’s Wairere orchards between Mill Rd and Parihaka became Whangarei’s first state housing location and the large Western Hills Bypass now cuts through Edmund Weaver’s Valley Farms and Vineyard. The growth of supermarkets in the 1970s dramatically changed the way we distribute and buy food. Food insecurity or poverty are very common now, and especially seem to effect children. Meet some of our local community gardens that
beautifully portrayed in video by CNorth, Maunu Garden Project and Wai a Ariki Food Forest Onerahirahi. This exhibition combines well with Kiwi North’s annual Senior’s Winter Special with half- price entry for all seniors, seven days per week, June, July and August. Entry includes both the Kiwi House and Museum. Kiwi North has disabled access including a lift so we welcome our senior community to visit, staying warm and dry with us this winter.
every early European settler family had their own peach and citrus orchards and vegetable gardens and home industries. Preserving and bottling excess helped families get by in winter. Extra goods could be purchased from general grocers, butchers and fruiterers on Rathbone, Bank and Cameron Streets. Many are surprised to learn that at the turn of the 20th century, Northland had New Zealand’s largest fruit growing industry. In the late 1800s the area within three kilometres of the current city centre was covered in gardens and a huge variety of orchards. Many of these
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Garden of Eden, Whau Valley, Whangarei. 204.E.T
KIWI NORTH'S
SENIORS’ WINTER SPECIAL New Exhibition
Stay warm and dry with us this winter. 10am to 4pm daily. 1ST JUNE - 31ST AUGUST 2019
SENIORS WINTER SPECIAL
Norway Scandinavia & Baltics
50% DISCOUNTED ENTRY TO THE WHANGAREI MUSEUM, KIWI HOUSE AND HERITAGE PARK
$7.50 ENTRY for seniors
Catch the Route 6 green bus to our door. Whangarei Museum and Kiwi House are adjoined, indoors and have full disability access. Groups are very welcome but please book. Stay warm and dry with us this winter. Kiwi feeding and keeper talk 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily. Tuatara encounter by arrangement for group bookings.
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Gate 1, 500 SH 14 Maunu, Whangarei | 09-4389630 reception@kiwinorth.co.nz | www.kiwinorth.co.nz