Hayley delivering a 30 sec pitch

Richmond Community Garden was proud to be named one of the 2023 Keep New Zealand Beautiful Awards finalists, a recognition of the incredible community-led mahi transforming the former red zone. Although the team only had 30 seconds to showcase their work in the finalist video, the reality is that their impact goes far beyond what could be captured in that short time.

Since 2018, the group has transformed three acres of the former residential red zone into a thriving, inclusive community space. The site now includes raised garden beds, food forests, native plantings, natural play areas, a fungi farm, and peaceful places to relax. In addition to maintaining the land, the team runs regular workshops and community events, a predator trapping programme, composting initiatives, rubbish clean-ups, and plastic recycling, making it a living example of environmental regeneration in action.

At the heart of the garden’s success is the Community Hub, open six days a week and home to several community-focused organisations. It serves as a welcoming, shared space for education, collaboration, and social connection. Richmond Community Garden continues to be a beacon of grassroots leadership, proving how local communities can come together to restore land, care for people, and inspire systemic change from the ground up.