On the 18th of October, Boundary 274 hosted a Neighbours Day, celebrating all the great offerings of the Boundary 274 Hub for our local community.

There was plenty happening throughout the day — delicious food, guided garden tours, a DIY cleaning products workshop, bike repairs, games, a plant sale, and stalls sharing waste and composting information. Visitors could also learn more about the exciting Food Forest project coming next year.

Locals and neighbours wandered up the driveway to discover info stalls on composting and waste reduction with the Compost Queen Kat on hand to answer questions, sample Sera’s homemade chutney, and browse tables overflowing with lush plants grown in the Kaiwaka k’oanga.

Garden tours ran every half hour, showcasing the kaupapa of Kaiwaka — a kai resilience movement grounded in the wayfinding knowledge of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. Visitors admired the thriving Ko’anga (nursery), manavai, banana circle, and wholly trinity — which were all MANAfesting beautifully. The newest additions to Kaiwaka — an umu and hue trellis — sparked plenty of curiosity and interest from locals.

The final stop on the garden tour was a visit to The Roots Creative and S Double S Services Bike Hub, where visitors learned about the kaupapa and resources available from Waikare, Scott and Titi. Before long, tamariki were doing laps on bikes around the hub — a lovely sight to see!

Meanwhile, the sausage sizzle — tended by the Roots Creative crew with fresh salads from Raju kept everyone well fed. Vegetarians weren’t forgotten, with grilled courgette slices proving a hit! Families and neighbours gathered around a long outdoor table, sharing kai, kōrero, laughter, and connection.

*Make you own Cleaning Products Workshop with Sera*

Among the highlights was Sera’s ‘Make Your Own Cleaning Products’ workshop. She introduced participants to familiar ingredients like Sunlight Soap, sparking memories of mothers and grandparents using it for everything from laundry to hair washing. Attendees followed along to make their own washing powder and dishwashing powder, taking home their products in glass jars. The success of this hands-on workshop has already sparked interest in more PVA workshops and drop-in sessions.

Thanks to Ana’s letterbox drop, new faces from the neighbourhood arrived to explore the hub. Her outreach to local schools also paid off, with teachers visiting from nearby schools. One teacher from Flat Bush Primary School purchased several plants for both home and the school garden, while another expressed interest in bringing her class along for the upcoming Food Forest planting day.

All in all, it was a fantastic Boundary 274 Hub effort — neighbours and locals have come back to Boundary since the event,

Neighbours Day October 2025

Tribute to Dr Janet O’Connor