Working Bees
Tuesdays 11am-1pm
Thursdays 1-3pm
First Saturdays of each month 1-3pm
(weather dependent)
We provide the tools, and are happy to answer any questions you may have - you don’t need experience, just a willing attitude! Please wear suitable shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting a bit dirty!
Working bees are a great way to meet people, learn about organic gardening through hands-on experience and at the end of your time you will be offered produce or other goodies from the garden to take home with you!
On any given day, jobs may be in any of the areas of our permaculture facilities: the edible and medicinal gardens, orchards, food forest, greenhouses or native planting areas.
Guardians of the Gardens
Our after-school programme creating opportunities for primary aged children to build relationships and experience connection with nature and where food comes from through observing, interacting and understanding.
Each week brings a nature/garden-based project for children to learn sustainable life skills and values.
Term 4 2026 we will be: germinating & growing seeds, building resilient shelters, observing nature & creating garden art, building & sailing mini boats, participating in soil science, creating seasonal gifts/decorations from natural materials, and making fire & pizza to share with our families!
When: Term 4 2026 Guardians of the Guards run on Thursdays from 3:00-5:00 over 8 weeks from 22 October to 10 December
Drop off participating kids anytime between 3 and 3:30pm, and pick them up at 5pm.
Cost: $40 per child for 8 weeks
Facilitators & Supervision: Guardians of the Gardens will be run by experienced facilitators and teachers: Catherine-Joye Truman, Carlos Lancaster, Thalia Ortiga and Sophia Leon de la Barra.
Ratios will be kept to 8 children per facilitator, with a maximum of 24 participants.
Register: To register your child, please complete our registration form
Community Classroom Programme
Community Classroom brings together speakers, doers, makers and shakers to exchange knowledge and experience on topics of sustainable living.
Classes include building your own rainwater collection, various composting techniques, seed saving, fermenting and storing produce, food forest planning, and more! We also hold documentary screenings at The Riviera Cinema and Waitaki Library on sustainable living topics.
Tickets for films and classes are all available for purchase on our Humanitix ticketing account. Follow us on Humanitix for email updates as soon as classes are added, classes are also listed on our Facebook page, paper copies are held at the Waitaki District Library, and email subscribers will receive flyers direct to their inbox.
Sign up to volunteer
We always can use extra support behind the scenes – gardening, admin, fundraising, marketing, building and maintenance, plumbing, health and safety, cleaning… the list goes on. If you have a skill and you’re willing to donate time and /or expertise – please think of us, we’d love to have you on board. Please email waitaki.community.gardens (at) gmail.com to register your interest, or turn up on the day!
For enquiries about working bees, volunteering and work experience, contact Ra 0211 154 884.
