Our Story & Sustainability
Sustainability
How We Grow: Regenerative, Chemical-Free, and Soil-First
- Grown Without Chemicals, Full of Life
Our veges are free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers, and GMOs. Instead, we feed the soil using homemade compost, organic inputs like worm tea and seaweed tonic, and seed mixes we make ourselves. Healthy soil means healthier, tastier, more nutrient-dense food. - Minimal Digging, Maximum Soil Health
We protect and preserve the underground ecosystem by disturbing the soil as little as possible. Living soil is full of beneficial microbes and fungi that support strong plant growth — so we let nature do the work, only digging where absolutely necessary. - Diverse Planting for Resilient Systems
We grow a wide mix of crops together, just like nature does. This interplanting approach improves soil fertility, reduces pests and disease, and creates thriving, resilient ecosystems — all while producing beautiful, nutrient-rich kai for your table.
Who Grows the Kai?
Your veges are grown with care by our small staff team of dedicated growers:
Wilby – Leads the team with a passion for soil health, community resilience, and regenerative food systems. He brings years of hands-on experience and deep commitment to growing nutrient-rich, local kai.
Janet – Keeps the māra thriving with attention to detail and years of gardening knowledge. She’s especially passionate about heirloom seed saving & teaching people how to grow kai.
Our core team is supported by an incredible group of volunteers and community members who generously share their time, energy, and talents. Their mahi is essential to everything we do — from planting and weeding to harvesting and packing your vege bags.
Where we grow our produce?
At Ōtautahi Vege Bags, we grow our produce in three māra kai around Jacksons Creek in the catchment of The Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River.
We grow food in a way that supports living soil, using compost, organic inputs, and minimal digging to protect underground ecosystems. Instead of monocrops and chemicals, we plant diverse crops together — creating a resilient, chemical-free system that produces nutrient-rich, flavourful kai.
These market gardens and the vege bag programme are part of the wider kaupapa of Te Waerenga, a not-for-profit that nurtures community connection, hope, and care for the whenua through local food systems.
We team up with trusted local growers like Broadview Organics and Streamside Organics to ensure your vege bags stay full, fresh, and seasonal — even if we face a crop failure or shortage. This shared support between farms builds resilience and keeps our local food system strong.
Who Are We?
Ōtautahi Vege Bags is run by Te Waerenga (formerly Addington Farm), a charitable trust organisation based in Ōtautahi. Since 2018, Te Waerenga has been supporting local gardening, food sharing, and community-building initiatives grounded in manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.
The vege bag programme grew out of this kaupapa — as a way to reconnect people with the whenua, reduce food insecurity, and build a more resilient local food system. Every order supports not just fresh produce, but a wider vision of flourishing for people and place.
If you want to support our charity please consider making a pay it forward donation.
We’re on RNZ! Talking Vege Bags, Community, and Growing Together
We’re feeling grateful to have our kaupapa featured on RNZ — huge thanks to Jessie Mulligan for the great kōrero. The interview covers our new lease at the māra and the launch of our pay-what-you-can seasonal vege bag subscription.
Listen to the full interview here
Ngā mihi nui to everyone supporting this mahi — every share, every bag, every kōrero helps grow local food security.