About us

Enabling kids

to get growing

Growing OKE

What is Oke all about

Oke provide Kiwi kids the opportunity to learn life and social skills by building sustainable “outdoor classrooms” at primary schools. By giving the kids the tools to learn, Oke are empowering schools and communities, ultimately providing a better place for everyone. Learn more about the Oke Growing A Future initiative…

Oke plans to give

every kiwi kid an

outdoor classroom

At Oke Charity, our mission is to cultivate a love for learning and healthy living in children by building outdoor classrooms throughout Aotearoa. We believe that every child should have access to a classroom which enables them to learn, thrive and grow.

Through our work, we aim to inspire and educate our tamariki on the importance of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. We strive to create safe and nurturing outdoor spaces where children can connect with nature, develop life skills, and build meaningful relationships with their peers.

We are committed to promoting equity and inclusivity in our projects, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or ability, has equal access to the benefits of our school gardens. Our goal is to empower children to become confident, resilient, and socially responsible individuals who are equipped to make a positive impact in their communities and the world.

Through Growing A Future, Oke deliver an outdoor classroom to each school, enabling the kids, teachers and local community to get growing. The garden is built through a community working bee (in just ONE day) and includes all that is required to make it sustainable; raised beds, greenhouse, composting solutions, kids tools, teacher tools, irrigation, fruit trees etc. Each Growing a Future project for a school is worth over $25,000. We work hard all year to raise enough funds so our “Growing a Future” gardens are a minimal cost to the schools. We are very grateful to work with some amazing sponsors, funders, volunteers and contributors who support us to make this possible.

Check out our Working Bee Schedule to see the next school receiving Growing A Future and find out more about our awesome partners.

key outcomes

What makes us diferent?

Building

We build outdoor classrooms at minimal cost to schools

Learning

The spaces we build can be used for all manner of learning, not just gardening

Engaging

We help schools engage with their communities through our community lead working bees

Meet the Oke Crew

Paul Dickson

Paul came up with the crazy idea of creating the #H2HWalk back in 2012. After the successes of the fundraiser, he decided to do things a little bit backward and then create the Oke Charity. Paul heads up the Oke Crew…when he’s not on Daddy Daycare duty!

Michelle Turner

Michelle joined the Oke Crew in October 2023 as the Tāmaki Makaurau Chief Go-Getter. Oke initially teamed up with Michelle when she was working at Mountain View School and initiated the outdoor classroom being built. After volunteering for the next couple of years, we finally snapped up Michelle as our Chief Go-Getter, helping to get even more outdoor classrooms funded and built.

Alisi Kivalu

Alisi joined the Oke Crew in April 2021 as the South Auckland Chief Go-Getter. Living and breathing Otara life, Alisi is helping to connect the Oke Charity with the community where it all began. Whilst getting stuck in to help build more school gardens.