Urban Farm DB
Research catalogue
Database research record2025·New Zealand

Cultivating wellbeing: healing effects of an urban māra kai (community garden) in community housing in Aotearoa New Zealand

Lori Leigh, Edward Randal, Amber Logan, Karen Witten, Crystal Victoria Olin, Elinor Chisholm, Philippa Howden‐Chapman

Local Environment

Urban Farm DB summary

An Indigenous-led community garden (māra kai) in an urban social housing environment in New Zealand was examined. Guided by an Indigenous model of wellbeing and using go-along interviews, the study found that this community initiative uplifted the autonomy, confidence, and wellbeing of community housing residents. This was achieved by fostering healthy relationships with themselves, their immediate community, and the wider community across the city.