Downsizing no barrier to creating supreme garden

Potatoes, cucumbers, passionfruit and feijoa are just some of the fruits and vegetables that flourish in home and nourish Lagi and her family (Lagi and her daughter Lucia pictured above). 

“As soon as we moved in, I started doing my garden, and now we have lots of things like tomatoes and peas that I can share with my neighbours and my family,” she says.

“There’s a community pantry at the top of our street as well … we always put something in there for other people.” 

Lagi’s attention and care were key in her taking out the supreme category in the recently announced Great Gardens of Kāinga Ora Awards. 

She was unlikely to draw attention to herself and put her own name forward, so it came as a surprise when she learned her daughter Lucia had nominated her and that she won the $250 award.

“I’ve always worked hard to make my house look nice … but this is the first time someone has put my name on something like this.” 

Lucia says the family had lived in their previous Mount Roskill home for over 30 years before downsizing to their current, more modern home last year. The neighbours were “quite shocked” to see the progress Lagi had made in such a short time, and that was another reason for the nomination. 

“Mum deserves the award. The feeling of peace we get in the garden has made the move that much easier for us,” Lucia says.

“Leaving the home was difficult, but so was leaving the garden. Of course, we had to take as many plants as possible. Mum the wizard has, again, created something amazing.”

Lagi’s garden has always been more than simply a place to grow beautiful flowers and healthy food –it’s a place to feed the soul as well. 

“I don’t think there’s ever been a time, even when she was working, where she wasn’t out in the garden,” Lucia says.

“As long as I can remember, she’s always had a love and passion for gardening, and I think that’s also been her safe space too.”

Great Gardens of Kāinga Ora Awards – 2022 winners 

We were highly impressed by the interest in the competition and the standard of entries, making it tough for our judges, but we are pleased to announce the following winners:

Supreme Garden – Lagi, Auckland 

We were completely blown away at how Lagi has turned her small section into a dream garden in only a year. Her garden is bright, beautiful and inviting and balances eye-catching florals with plentiful vegetables. She’s made her garden a haven for her entire whānau to gather, meet and collectively take pride in.

Community Gardener – Annwyne, Whanganui 

Annwyne is the resident community gardener at the Hakeke Community Centre where she not only tends to the gardens there through rain, hail or shine, she teaches the children who attend how to plant and care for the plants and vegetables. The children then get to enjoy the fruits of their efforts by eating them. The completely organic patch is filled with variety, plentiful and free for all. 

Annwyne also shares the veggies with those that can use them. She’s an absolute legend, as said by the community centre, and we completely agree! 

Best small space garden – Tamara of Christchurch 

We loved Tamara’s cosy little haven created for her and her cat. She has transformed her small covered concrete balcony into a delightful potted colour paradise for monarch butterflies, tomatoes and strawberries. 

Best Edible garden – Adele, Auckland 

We were highly impressed with not only how Adele has managed to use her garden as her sanctuary, but also how she’s used it to help her create delicious meals, jams, preserves, pickles and relishes from what she grows in her garden. Her garden is a true inspiration for anyone interested in a garden to table approach to cooking. 

Best junior gardener – Issac, Auckland 

We were moved by 10-year old Isaac’s entry in the competition. He has cerebral palsy and has some difficulty with mobility, but with his daily dedication and commitment, he’s cared for his garden and cultivated a crop of delicious vegetables for his family’s table.

Best water-wise garden – Roghayyeh, Auckland 

Roghayyeh’s entry impressed us greatly. Featuring handmade, upcycled garden boxes housing bountiful veggies watered using only rain-water, the raised garden beds keep the roots drier, allowing for a longer growing season and better conditions for the plants and roots. We thought this was genius and deserving of our water-wise category win!