🍃 Spring: New Growth, Small Beginnings & Shared Abundance

What's Growing Beneath the Surface

Spring reflections, practical learning and good things taking root across our region

Kia ora,

It's been a little while since our last newsletter in June.

Winter has been a quieter time for Toru. Not inactive, but more like a garden between seasons, with things happening beneath the surface. Trustees have been reconnecting, revisiting resources and reflecting on what Toru might best nurture next.

Now spring is well underway. The days are stretching, seedlings are finding their feet, birds are busy, and new growth is appearing all around us.

With El Niño conditions shaping the season ahead, we're also thinking about water, wind, shelter and how we can work with the changing conditions rather than against them.

In this edition, we share new beginnings at Mikimiki Forest School, a few useful spring garden notes, upcoming gatherings and stories that remind us how much can grow from small acts of care and connection.

Here's a little of what's growing.

From the Network

New growth at Mikimiki Forest School

Some seeds take time to grow. Others rest for a while before finding the right conditions to flourish again.

After opening in 2019 and closing at the end of 2023, the Forest School in Wairarapa is finding new life. A group of trustees and kaiako have come together to renew this special place of outdoor learning, with plans to welcome school and early childhood groups again in 2027.

Hella Coenen shares the story of its beginnings, the regeneration of the whenua, and the people now gathering to carry the vision forward.

👉 Read New Growth

A little news from Toru

This winter, Biome Trust shared a lovely reflection on Toru's beginnings, the people who brought it into being, and the learning experiences that have shaped our journey.

It feels timely as trustees revisit conversations about a future Permaculture Design Course and how Toru might continue supporting experiential, place-based learning across our region.

Nothing formal to announce just yet, but we look forward to sharing more as these conversations take shape.

👉 Read Toru's story in Biome Trust

Spring notes from the garden

A few practical suggestions as we head towards summer, grounded in permaculture's invitation to observe, conserve resources and make connections.

Give young plants some shelter.

Wind can dry seedlings quickly, even on cooler days. Temporary wind protection, thoughtful placement and watering at the roots help plants establish before summer arrives.

Keep the soil covered.

A layer of straw, leaves or other suitable organic mulch helps hold moisture, protect soil life and reduce weed growth. Keep mulch a little clear of plant stems to prevent rot.

Look for small loops.

Could kitchen scraps feed worms, weeds cut before seeding become mulch, or spare seedlings find a home with a neighbour? Each little connection helps turn something underused into a resource, reducing waste and building resilience.

👉 Explore our spring garden notes xplore our spring garden notes

Upcoming Events

Across the region, there are opportunities to gather, learn new skills and explore regenerative ways of living.

Wairarapa

Women-Led Syntropic Food Forest Retreat

Friday 6 – Sunday 8 November

Castlepoint, Wairarapa

Explore syntropic food forestry, regenerative growing and our connections with nature. An opportunity for women to learn, share, rest and grow together.

👉 Explore retreat

Porirua

Pukerua Bay Crop Swap

Saturday 21 November | 3:30–4:30pm

Pukerua Bay RSA, 5 Wairaka Road

Bring what you have and share what you can. Seeds, seedlings, produce, baking, gardening resources and local knowledge are all welcome at this friendly, cash-free community gathering.

👉 Join the swap

Hutt Valley

Mangaroa Farms Spring Festival

Saturday 31 October | 10am–3pm

Mangaroa Farms, Whitemans Valley

Local kai, live music, farm and garden tours, workshops and activities for tamariki. Explore the farm and connect with the people helping local food systems flourish.

👉 Explore festival

Sourdough Bread Baking with Doris Zuur

Saturday 7 November | 10am–1pm

Mangaroa Wharekai, 298 Whitemans Valley Road

Learn the slow art of breadmaking with Doris. Get hands-on, explore different grains and fermentation methods, and take home starter, fresh bread and recipes.

👉 Explore workshop

Wellington

Kaicycle Hua Parakore Verification Celebration

Saturday 14 November | 11am–1:30pm

Kaicycle Urban Farm, Newtown

Walk through the māra, hear how the team is putting Māori organic growing principles into practice, and share kai in recognition of this community achievement.

👉 Explore event

There are more workshops, courses and community gatherings listed on the Toru website.

Explore all events

Things to Explore

A little seasonal wonder, and a couple of stories that caught our attention.

Wildwood Post

For tamariki and the young at heart.

A little seasonal magic delivered by real post, with illustrated letters, nature-inspired activities and tiny treasures that encourage children to notice the world around them.

👉 Explore Wildwood Post

A forest growing around Ōtaki

Local landowners, volunteers and schools are working together to restore native forest around their town. A hopeful RNZ story about thinking long-term and acting together.

👉 Read or listen

A little berm feeding a community

An unused roadside verge in Whangārei has become a free vegetable garden, growing fresh kai and connection between neighbours. A lovely example of permaculture ethics in everyday life.

👉 Read or listen

Why we share

Across our region there are many people quietly growing food, restoring ecosystems, sharing knowledge, and nurturing community.

Much of this work happens in small places such as gardens, farms, classrooms, community kitchens, and local gatherings, and often it remains largely unseen beyond those directly involved.

Toru exists to help make these threads more visible and connected. Through stories, events, and shared learning, we hope to celebrate the people doing this work and strengthen the relationships that allow it to grow.

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If you’re hosting an event, workshop, or course that aligns with our kaupapa, you are welcome to list it on our website. Check out our event listing guidelines and create an account.

Event listings are always free and are one small way we can help support the wider network.

Thank you for being part of this growing network.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Emma Ellison

on behalf of the Toru Education Trust

We would love to hear from you. Please email us at info@toru.nz or simply reply to this email.

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