Social responsibility leads to kohanga connection
Te Rakau Kowhai O Nga Tamariki kohanga reo tamariki (children), kaiako (teachers) and Environment Southland staff harvesting potatoes.
Kaiako (teacher) Tumanako Mohi says for some of the tamariki, it was the first time they had seen veggies being dug out of the ground. At the end of the day, they took the produce home for their whanau.
“It teaches them that veggies don’t always come from the supermarkets – they grow in the ground.
“The tamariki absolutely loved it.”
Environment Southland principal land sustainability officer Karl Erikson, who supported the building and planting of the gardens, says it was special to be able to spend time with children and give back to the community.
“There’s nothing quite like eating your own produce. It’s quite rewarding to be able share this with the kids, and it’s helping our staff wellbeing too.”
The connection between the kohanga reo and Environment Southland was facilitated by Healthy Families Invercargill as part of the work it does in the kai space.
Healthy Families Invercargill lead systems innovator Stella O’Connor says creating those connections, helping local organisations work together to address local issues, was part of building a stronger food environment.
“Food resilience is a big issue to tackle, but by working together and listening to our community, we can make significant and valuable changes.”
Environment Southland’s corporate social responsibility committee, made up of representatives from across the organisation, has also established a worm farm, which has processed over 10kgs of old bait; helped to recycle more than 24kgs of batteries; encouraged staff to donate blood during the January 2021 Blood Drive; and is investigating green transport initiatives for staff.
You can read the full Envirosouth magazine as a PDF online here.
