Thanks to the efforts of offenders on community work, council flat tenants in Newtown have joined the growing self-sufficiency movement with an upgrade of their community garden.
Offenders serving community work sentences put in 1,500 hours labour, building raised beds, digging holes for fence posts, and other work that would have taken the community months to complete.
Resident Susannah Ounei, who immigrated from New Caledonia in 2000, has already planted onions and strawberries on her patch, and plans to put in potatoes.
Susannah says being outdoors with other green-fingered neighbours is a great way of getting to grips with a new community. “In an area like this, when you don’t know anyone, it’s a good way to get to know people … there are always very interesting people in the garden.”
She says she is still stunned by the richness of the soil. “I love it. Gardening is life.”
The project was championed by Operation Green Thumb, which has been helping Wellingtonians who have no land of their own grow veggies since 1994. With support from the Wellington City Council and Lottery grants, Operation Green Thumb has cultivated over 80 garden plots in Wellington.
Community Probation & Psychological Services Wellington Area Manager Matire Kupenga-Wanoa says, “the Newtown flats project was a popular one with the work crews.
“Jobs like this are a really direct way of offenders demonstrating reparation for their offending and giving something back to the community,” says Matire “It’s also a very practical way to help offenders learn new skills and work habits, which can assist with future employment.”
Got a story for Corrections News or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
ISSN 1178-8453