The Kaiapoi Food Forest Trust is distinctly shaped not just by its origins but by how its board—and associated volunteers—power its daily operation and long-term development.

Strategic Leadership & Infrastructure Development

In 2022, the Trust received approval from the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board to construct an education shelter onsite, complete with secure storage and toilet facilities—key infrastructure for expanding learning programs into cooler months. The Trust is managing fundraising and once built, the shelter will be owned and maintained by their dedicated volunteers.

Hands-On Facilitation & Community Engagement

The Kaiapoi Food Forest board and trustees are deeply involved on the ground. They coordinate visits from schools, preschools, and workshops, creating a space that’s as much educational as it is productive. Volunteers—including regular weekly groups and community service teams—are mobilised by the Trust to move mulch, prune trees, remove rubbish and plant trees.

Scaling Impact & Replication

Trust chair Brent Cairns plays an especially pivotal role. Not only does he coordinate visiting groups, but his work has inspired the establishment of multiple other food forests across North and Mid Canterbury. These range from schools in Amberley and Kaiapoi to broader community projects—each learning from Kaiapoi’s model.

Educational Programming & Community Resilience

Central to the Trust’s mission is education. They deliver free workshops to around 30–40 participants each, covering topics such as food forest design, pruning, propagation, sustainable food production, and even Rongoā Māori. This aligns with their broader goals of fostering community self-reliance, food security, and wellbeing ACE Aotearoa.