Seeds of Support

Recently we asked you to donate spare seed to gift to gardeners in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Here is a small selection of the responses from those who received it.

A gift of kindness

We live on the coast northwest of Auckland, in a wondrous rural landscape where land and sea meet an ever-changing sky, just a few minutes down the coast from Muriwai Beach. While our house withstood the 120km winds of Cyclone Gabrielle, our land was damaged, old native trees and new native plantings uprooted, garden furniture airborne, utility sheds destroyed under fallen trees and our vege garden, full of produce ready to eat, was shredded. Yet, we are lucky – unlike so many of the Muriwai community. We still have an undamaged house and over time, nature and us together will slowly attend to the scars on our land.

What a joy to find a large envelope in our letterbox, and inside that a smaller one decorated with stickers of birds and a golden heart. Inside that, packets of Seeds of Support to encourage us in the replanting of our vege garden and the healing of our land.

Thank you NZ Gardener.

A warm and tearful thank you to the very thoughtful and caring Kiwi who sent us an unexpected gift of seeds, which we will use to continue the seasonal cycles in our vegetable garden.

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai (nurture the seed and it will bloom).

Joan Campbell, Muriwai Beach

We will share the bounty

It was with great delight and surprise to receive in the mail a lovely card with warm words, and two packets of Kings Seeds from Janet – courtesy of the Seeds of Support initiative created by NZ Gardener. While we were not affected by the storm, one of our members of staff lost everything in the floods that affected Hawke’s Bay. We will be sure to share the bounty of what the seeds will produce. It was a devastating event which will have ongoing consequences for years to come. Thank you once again, Janet, for your words and interest.

Graham & Carolyn Bell, Hawke’s Bay

There is hope

How very moving and totally unexpected to receive in the mail today a pack of seeds via the Seeds of Support scheme. It is such a lovely idea and truly appreciated. Many, many people are still unable to return to their homes since Cyclone Gabrielle, let alone even think about re-establishing their gardens so this is a very tangible way of reminding us that even in the toughest times, there are people out there who care and there is hope for the future.

Ange Marsh, Napier

I’m wanting to thank you for your promotion to your subscribers to gift seeds to our region. What a lovely gift. I intend to share my gift with others here at the retirement village I live in.

JANET SMITH, HAWKE’S BAY