New Tunnel House for South Westland Area School

The vegetable gardens at South Westland Area School are set for a big boost, thanks to the school winning a $2,000 gardening grant from Rural Women New Zealand and Meridian Energy this week.

Rural Women New Zealand national councillor, Pam Thomlinson, will present the jumbo-sized cheque on behalf of Meridian at a special ceremony to be held at the school on Tuesday 11 December at 9am.

South Westland Area School was one of fifty-two hopeful South Island rural primary schools that applied for the two grants on offer.

The other successful application came from Lyttelton Harbour Basin Schools – a grouping of eight schools that collaborate on gardening projects.

Rural Women NZ national president, Liz Evans, said “We are pleased to be able to support children in learning where their food comes from, and how easy it is to grow when you have the right equipment and materials.

“We are also giving the school a copy of our publication “A Good Harvest – Recipes from the Gardens of Rural Women New Zealand” with tips on growing fruit and vegetables, and lots of great recipes for using the produce once it’s grown.”

Meridian is also gifting a copy of the publication to the fifty unsuccessful schools.

South Westland Area School currently has several small garden plots that are managed by different class levels throughout the school.

However, they struggle with high rainfall, and having to take covers on and off their plots for weeding and planting.

The $2,000 gardening grant will be used to buy a tunnel house with irrigation to extend and optimise the growing season.