Christchurch’s Ōtākaro Orchard launches crowdfunding for edible park

New Zealand’s first urban food hub is a step closer to opening with the launch today of a new crowdfunding campaign to fast-track an edible park.

The Ōtākaro Orchard project is located on a $3 million former office site in Christchurch’s Avon River Precinct / Te Papa Ōtākaro, close to Margaret Mahy Playground.

So far the project has received over $300,000 in public donations and grant funding, and is now ready to start construction of the first phase, the edible park.

Project co-ordinator Chloe Waretini said their goal was to turn Christchurch into an Edible Garden City.

“With crowd help, In the coming months we will be transforming this rubbly lot into an urban oasis that produces tonnes of food each year for our community,” she said. 

People can join in the crowdfunding campaign on Pledge Me to help raise $60,000 needed to landscape and plant the edible park, create the amphitheatre and build seating. Rewards on offer for donations include everything from edible bouquets to names on planter boxes, trees and bricks.

“In the interests of transparency, we’re sharing our live budget for the landscaping. The goal is to get the total as low as possible by the end of the campaign with our crowd contributing both money, materials and connections.”

The edible park will feature a heritage orchard, multiple herb and vegetable beds showcasing a variety of growing techniques, space for educational workshops and an amphitheatre for public gatherings and events.


“Thanks to the generosity of Goom Landscapes we now have a buildable design for the park, and City Care JFC joint venture have signed on as our construction partner. Suppliers of landscaping materials are also joining as in-kind sponsors.”

Next to the edible park, a local food information centre and cafe will be housed in what is envisioned as Christchurch's most regenerative build. A Dome which will serve as an indoor food production and classroom space.