Become a volunteer

Participation is what it’s all about! Anyone associated with the University of Canterbury (past/present students and staff, their families, etc.) or living nearby is welcome to volunteer in either of the community gardens. No matter what level of experience you may have, or what your interests are, there is always something to be done and new ideas and skills are encouraged and always appreciated.

Health and Safety

All volunteers and visitors entering UC community gardens are required to comply with the Health and Safety Act (1992). Volunteers will be invited to attend a short, informal introduction to the gardens which includes a briefing on how to keep yourself and other volunteers safe in the gardens.

Volunteer at Waiutuutu Community Garden

Regular working times are every Friday afternoon, all year round: 

• 1pm to 5pm during the summer months (Terms 1, 3 and 4)
• 12pm to 4pm during the winter months (Term 2)

Anyone is welcome to come along to a working bee, and there's no minimum number of times you have to come. Just turn up to a working bee on a Friday afternoon to receive a short induction. Best of all, everyone who volunteers gets their share of whatever delicious fresh produce was harvested that day.

Workshops and events will be posted on the Facebook page and Instagram @waiutuutugarden.

To find out more come along at the regular working time on Fridays or contact the Community Gardens Coordinator, Jam Kelly, on jam.kelly@canterbury.ac.nz

Find us

Please note that Waiutuutu Community Garden is referred to as 'Okeover' on the map above. Te Ngaki o Waiutuutu | Waiutuutu Community Garden was originally named Okeover Community Garden, after the Okeover Stream. In 2018, Ngai Tahu gifted the name Te Ngaki o Waiutuutu (Waiutuutu Community Garden) in recognition of the stream's original name.

On Engineering Road across from the Civil Engineering building, there is a stream pathway. Walk down this path and over a footbridge. The garden is on the right, up some steps.

Volunteer at Dovedale Community Garden

Community working bees are not currently being held at the Dovedale Community Gardens. Learn about the Dovedale gardening group on Facebook here, or email the Sustainability Office with any queries.