Ōtara - Papatoetoe Eco-Neighbourhood Reflections
Ōtara - Papatoetoe Eco-Neighbourhood had a great year in 2024 with lots to reflect on and celebrate. Project Lead Caragh Doherty shared some highlights and plans for Ōtara- Papatoetoe Eco Neighbourhood groups this year.
The Girls Brigade, which Caragh desbribes as something like ‘Brownies’ or ‘Girl Guides’ which was popular with young girls when she was growing up is a group of mostly young women and some of their families connected to a church in Ōtara. The Girls Brigade have been learning waste 101 - the different kinds of waste and how to recycle and compost as well as doing hands on workshops that raise awareness of local resources, build skills and are everyday climate actions. The group enjoyed learning about the healing properties of an indigenous plant - kawakawa and making Kawakawa soap and kawakawa balm. Vegetarian cooking is being planned for a future workshop, another great skill and climate action. Ka rawe Girls Brigade.
Waste 101 with the Girls Brigade
Another great success has been Young gardeners at Tupu Youth Library. They continue to go from strength to strength raising seeds, planting, and sharing produce. This group will be taking part in the Local Board Moth Plant Competition which is about eradicating this pest plant from the environment. It has been heart warming to see tuakana -teina flourishing in this space.
Young Gardeners of Tupu Youth Library
Aorere Kindergarten have been talking about their plans with Ōtara - Papatoetoe Eco Neighbourhoods lead Caragh Doherty. EN will be supporting them to acquire a greenhouse, gardening tools and a Pataka Kai, which will help them enrich their Garden to Table programme and Envirschool goals. They are also hoping to expand their garden space and beautify the fenceline between the reserve and kindergarden with a mural. We look forward to seeing where this goes.
Last but not least an elderly group based in Clover Park have enjoyed cooking workshops at Boundary Rd last year and tuning into the workshops and māra at Boundary Rd hub.
Caragh says providing space for people to feel empowered and tapping into skill sets that don’t fit into 9-5 jobs brings her joy and keeps her motivated in this mahi. Whaea Lisa is one of these people that Caragh provides space for to share skills and knowledge. Whaea Lisa is a former kaiako at a local kura who is now retired, she now does cloth nappy, kawakawa soap and skin balm workshops for the Ōtara - Papatoetoe Eco Neighbourhood groups to keep busy.
Being part of the wider Eco neighbourhood movement in Tāmaki Makaurau provides insight into other communities climate priorities and responses. For Ōtara Papatoetoe, Caragh says waste 101 is a good starting point for many that leads into ideas and projects led by locals.
Recently Caragh Doherty presented to the Ōtara - Papatoetoe Local Board alongside a Board community liaison person about the groups, workshops and mahi that was achieved in 2024. We look forward to a positive outcome for the exisiting groups of Ōtara - Papatoetoe Eco Neighbourhoods to continue to be supported and further expand in the region.
If you would like to know more about Ōtara - Papatoetoe Eco Neighbourhoods or would like to attend a workshop please get in touch with Caragh: 274econeighbourhoods@gmail.com or check out their Facebook Page.