Te Papapa School Working Bee

On Tuesday 23rd March 2021, we rolled into Te Papapa School with a proper crew and a clear mission, turn a good space into something special. This one was powered by Fletcher Living and One Tree Hill Rotary, both backing the build and bringing an absolute army of volunteers with them. From the moment tools hit the ground, it had that classic Oke feel, people from all walks of life mucking in together, getting stuck, and building something that would last.

The site threw up a few curveballs, including a decent incline that kept everyone honest, but that didn’t slow things down. Nine macrocarpa raised beds went in, a Morrifield tunnel house took shape, and a Gary’s Garden Shed was delivered and installed to anchor the space. The orchard got a serious glow-up too, brought back to life with fruit trees generously donated by Kings Plant Barn. Bit by bit, you could see the space transform into something the school could really own and grow into.

It was one of those classic hot Auckland days, plenty of sweat, a few sore backs, but a massive sense of progress by the end of it. What stood out most wasn’t just what got built, but how it got built, community, connection, and a shared belief in giving kids something better. That outdoor classroom has been doing its thing ever since, and it all started with one big day of people showing up and making it happen.🌱💪