Sustainability Warriors of Pōhutukawa Landing

Did you know there are 21 resident-led ‘Enviro Groups’ across Metlifecare which are driving impactful sustainability initiatives within their village communities?

Amongst them, stands the Sustainability Warriors of Pōhutukawa Landing, or the ‘SWOP’ team.

Founded by a group of residents who are avid gardeners and sustainability champions, their mission is clear: to reduce waste and create a more sustainable way of living within the Pōhutukawa Landing community.

SWOP founding members, Brian Stocking, Jan Gordon-Walters, Richard Walters, and Ken McKenzie are motivated by ensuring today’s efforts will contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.

Richard, who manages four new worm farms within the village, said the project is going from strength to strength.

“Since they were put in place around nine months ago, they have taken around 100kg of kitchen food waste, and produced about the same weight in a carbon-rich mixture which then goes back into the ground to fertilise plants and vegetables. They also produce a worm juice that residents can help themselves to for fertilising their own plants.”

Initially, Richard said there was a little bit of resistance from
residents who weren’t familiar with the practice of worm farming.

“Some people thought they were smelly operations, but if farmed properly, they are odourless. Now that they’re up and running and people can see their value, and how much food waste can be avoided, they’re in ‘boots and all’.”

In addition to the SWOP team initiatives, Richard said other resident-led sustainability activities are also in full swing within the village.

“Ken established some raised garden beds for growing vegetables and organises a ‘weekly weeders’ group – gardening enthusiasts who volunteer an hour of their time each Tuesday to help the village maintenance team.

“We recently thinned out some plants and collected two wool sacks full of garden debris which will get composted. In exchange, we get a free morning tea, and it’s a great opportunity to just spend time chatting with like-minded people,” says Richard.

The SWOP team’s $2500 grant from Metlifecare allowed them to purchase some quality gardening tools, a water barrel for collecting rainwater to irrigate gardens, and tipping trolleys to allow for easy maneuvering of heavy garden equipment and worm trays.

“The garden beds are fertilised by the worm farms, and we grow vegetables that residents can help themselves to, so it’s a nice circular system,” adds Richard.

As the group expands its base of supporters, it is setting its sights on future projects. Among the ideas are the implementation of composting initiatives, the establishment of soft plastic recycling programmes and a way to recycle surplus household goods.