Please Contribute Here to help us Grow!
The Rotary Club of Rotorua North visited the thriving community garden at the Hindu Heritage Centre on 25 March 2026, celebrating a shared commitment to community wellbeing, sustainability, and social connection.
Lovingly maintained by dedicated volunteers, the community garden has become a valuable source of fresh, chemical-free vegetables, herbs, and fruits for the wider community. The visit highlighted the important role the garden plays in bringing people together across cultures and generations, creating a vibrant space where knowledge is shared, healthy living is promoted, and a strong sense of belonging is fostered.
Members of the Rotary Club were welcomed and given a guided tour of the garden, where they engaged with volunteers and learned about ongoing initiatives supporting families, seniors, and youth. The visit was facilitated by Sandy Cleland and Thomas O’Leary, who provided insights into the garden’s development and impact. Sandy Cleland, owner of Palmers Rotorua Garden Centre and a Rotary committee member, introduced the visiting group.
Guests were impressed by the diversity and abundance of produce grown on site, including vegetables such as eggplant, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, silver beet, perennial spinach, chillies, capsicum, and laukee (bottle gourd); herbs such as mint, basil, lemon balm, spring onion, and celery; and fruits including passionfruit, rhubarb, blueberries, and strawberries. A particularly striking highlight was the remarkable growth of a single laukee plant, which drew much admiration. The visit concluded with a group photo in the garden.
Following the tour, visitors were treated to a home-cooked vegetarian dinner prepared in accordance with the traditional Sanskrit principle of “Atithi Devo Bhava”—“The Guest is Equivalent to God”—which emphasises warmth, respect, and hospitality. The meal, prepared by Varsha Karunakar, featured fresh produce from the garden, including a dessert made from laukee and traditional patra made from taro leaves. Guests appreciated the freshness and quality of the chemical-free ingredients.
During the dinner, Thomas O’Leary shared how the Rotary Club became involved with the initiative, noting that their support was inspired by the Centre’s strong community focus and meaningful impact.
“The community garden is more than just a place to grow food—it is a space where relationships are nurtured, cultures are celebrated, and people come together with a shared purpose,” said Thomas O’Leary.
Dr Julia Anne, Manager of the Hindu Heritage Centre, spoke about the development of the garden and its growing impact. The Community Garden and Sustainability Initiative has delivered a range of benefits, including:
- Improved access to fresh, healthy produce
- Increased environmental awareness and sustainable practices
- Strengthened community cohesion and intercultural understanding
- Enhanced wellbeing for elderly participants and families
- Opportunities for volunteer engagement and skills development
Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, expressed his appreciation for the visit, noting that partnerships like these strengthen community ties and create meaningful opportunities to serve others. He also highlighted upcoming development initiatives aimed at enhancing support for the elderly and wider community. He noted that the community garden initiative has been widely promoted through media, social platforms, and community networks. A recent post by the Rotorua Multicultural Council reached more than 36,900 people, reflecting strong public interest and engagement.
Looking ahead, the Centre plans to introduce gardening workshops for early childhood centres, schools, and families, encouraging home gardening and increased community participation.
The initiative is led by Dr. Guna Magesan whose background in soil science and sustainable agriculture has guided the project’s vision. The garden is co-managed by Dr Julia Anne, who leads community engagement through wellness and sustainability programmes.
The visit also opened discussions on future collaborations in areas such as community development, sustainability, and service projects. Rotary members with building expertise expressed interest in supporting upcoming infrastructure projects, including a new deck at the Centre.
The Hindu Council of New Zealand extends sincere appreciation to the Rotorua Lakes Council Community Matching Fund for its generous grant of $12,000, which enabled the establishment of the Community Garden and Sustainability Initiative, as well as to the Rotary Club of Rotorua North for its $1,800 contribution towards seeds, seedlings, garden mix, and related resources.
Both organisations look forward to exploring future opportunities to collaborate in enhancing community wellbeing and creating a lasting positive impact in Rotorua.
Media Contact:
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Prof Guna Magesan
President, Hindu Council of New Zealand
021 0345621; [email protected]