Occupational Engagement:

DOING BEING

BECOMING & BELONGING

Gardening & the gardenGardening and as an extension to that the appreciation of gardens is a strong theme in New Zealand. As a Kiwi who as lived for many years away from the country I had forgotten the importance of gardening to the people of New

Zealand. Of course it is not surprising given the fertile nature of the soil of this country. My first reminder of this was in Hamilton when I saw the great public

gardens. I also became aware during my 2nd placement that many of the residence identified as been gardeners. The facility provided them with an

opportunity to continue with this occupation. During my fieldwork placement in New Plymouth I was privileged to visit homes as part of the community setting. Again I was struck by the gardens and the clients who expressed there love of

gardening and gardens. This year my move to Dunedin has exposed me to even more aspects of gardening in New Zealand. There is a community garden up the

road, a community school community garden which is part of the home economic and a community herb garden as part of the Dunedin Botanical gardens. This great public garden are used by lots of people everyday, it is a short cut to the university from North Dunedin, it is a place to feed the ducks, play in the park,

stroll , sit in the sun, admire the view, have a cup of tea, visit the various hot houses, look at the Leith, listen to music the list goes on. They are a hive of occupations, an inspiration for gardeners and an important part of the local

community.

Selwyn Wilson Carlie Nursing Home raised gardens.

Image retrieved from http://www.selwyncare.org.nz/112/Rest-Home-Care

Access to gardening is important to allow people to continue to identify as a gardener

Retrieved from greenthumbs.cedwvu.org

These kinds of garden beds help people to be gardeners.

Retrieved from ucanr.org

Others have embraced recycling as part of their gardening ethos

Retrieved from balconyofdreams.blogspot.com

Gardening for many people has to do with food production and contributing to community.

Image retrieved from http://dannsbay.37southnz.com/photos-from-raised-garden-beds/

This help them to continue in roles that are part of who they have been throughout their lives.

Image retrieved from http://dannsbay.37southnz.com/photos-from-raised-garden-beds/

Dunedin North Intermediate. Image by Mary Wicks

I was considering this when I noticed this garden in the local school. Increasingly in New Zealand gardens are been established in schools. I bet many future gardeners are born out of this movement

North Dunedin Intermediate School raised kitchen garden. Image by Mary Wicks

Gardeners are now not only part of the home environment but every community needs a garden established and looked after by enthusiastic gardeners who are happy to contribute. In this case a school community.

Raised beds with herbs Dunedin North Intermediate. Image by Mary Wicks

This garden is part the home economics classes, the pupils garden then they cook.

Raised beds Dunedin North Intermediate. Image by Mary Wicks

Another local garden is the North East Valley Community Garden

This garden has been going only one year.

It is on the top field of the local primary school.

“Researchers working in the field of social and therapeutic horticulture are frequently asked what it is about gardening projects that is beneficial. Summarising the themes mentioned above a brief answer could be that these projects provide an interrelated set of activities that have purpose and coherence; they take place within a garden space that has been created and defined; they enable the restorative experience through their setting in a natural environment and they promote social inclusion through the key dimensions of social interaction, production, consumption and political engagement “

Sempik & Aldridge (2004) Social and Therapeutic Horticulture in the UK: the Growing Together Study Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire

Image by Mary Wicks

Community accessible herb garden. Image by Mary Wick

This garden is for the whole community to learn about herbs and the different uses.

Herb garden, Dunedin Botanical Gardens. Image by Mary Wicks

Gardens are a great place to relax. Image by Mary WicksThis north facing hill in the Botanical Garden is very popular as it is real sun trap and the view of the rest of the garden and out over the city to the far hills is lovely.

Enjoying the gardens. Image by Mary WicksThis is a great leisure activity and an inspiration for many gardens. This part of the Botanical garden uses lots of rock garden among the tall pines on the lower slopes of the north facing hill.

“Solitude in the presence of natural beauty and grandeur is the cradle of thoughts and aspirations which are not only good for the individual, but which society could ill do without.”John Stuart Mill, Principles of Political Economy (1848)