Our beautiful banner flags showed everyone where to come to experience the wonderful Sanctuary Mahi Whenua.
With signs all way from Carrington Road, directing people to the Sanctuary.
Our Billboard sign shows where the Sanctuary Mahi Whenua is placed in the context of the wider environs of Unitec and Oakley Creek.
As people arrived, they were met and greeted and asked to sign our visitors' book. We also 'encouraged' them to vote for Trevor for 'Gardener of the Year', as he is a finalist in the NZ Gardener magazine competition.
If you haven't voted for Trevor yet (and ideally some of your friends too!) you can do so here:
https://t.comms.stuff.co.nz/webApp/PAPP1875
Trevor being interviewed by India Essuah from bFM.
There was a great range of activities!
Prepared plastic bottles...
Jenni, our activity maestro.
The painting in progress and...
the finished result!
Insect Hotels
Made from bamboo from the Sanctuary.
Making the Insect Hotels...
Timothe's Insect Hotel - genius!
Our No-Grainer 'cooks', Hannah and Michaela.
(You can find the No-Grainer at the Mt. Albert Community Centre & YMCA)
They gave 2 delicious workshops.
Everyone, both visitors and members, enjoyed their time
at the Sanctuary garden.
The flax flower-making was a big success with Sanctuary members and...
young artists too.
Louise made this lovely flax bloom
There was also sand -saucer decorating with dinosaurs
and flowers from the gardens...
Meanwhile, VJ & Clement enjoy a coffee before hitting the compost...
with Arthur.
Even our compost carpet is charming....
And Judy brought her expertise too.
Mort and Marita
Visitors in wheelchairs were able to enjoy the garden as the paths have recently been refurbished with new bark and mulch at our last working bee - with additional work done by Jenni. This provided an accessible surface for everyone.
A steady stream of visitors enjoyed the Sanctuary Mahi Whenua.
Another popular acivity was Rock painting alongside the upcycling flowers.
With paint protection provided too.
The new Maori kumara garden was a huge attractor as people learnt
about traditional growing techniques and garden layout.
Keni was kept busy talking with people all day.
The entry and exit to this garden is through the one archway
gateway called the Puaha.
gateway called the Puaha.
Visitors were delighted to see our latest addition.
The pathways are covered with crushed shells.
The kumara will be planted in the prepared mounds of soil.
This helps to keep them warm.
Keni explains to Hannah that traditionally, the kumara grown in
the top three mounds, are for gifting on.
Gourds will be planted in one corner of the traditional garden and we
already have 6 plants growing-on in the glasshouse.
Keni used flax growing in the Sanctuary for the building of the Kanuka fence.
John led appreciative groups of people through the food forest
to learn about our food trees and...
Helen, our Hugelkulter.
Sarah and Jan enjoying the day.
More visitors at our open day. 
The 'NZ Gardener' and other magazines, formed part of our
reading room under the Passionfruit vine.
The Sanctuary looked serene and bountiful.
Sanctuary members also enjoyed working in their allotments.
Our flower plantings are looking gorgeous.
The first reveal of our vision for the Sanctuary Mahi Whenua enhancing
the intensification of the Unitec Campus.
And finally, packing everything away at the end of the day.
All that was left to show we had held our Open Day, were the leftover
flowers from the sand-saucer decorating.
While some of the upcycled flowers now decorate the raised bed
near the entrance of the Sanctuary.
Trevor cut some of the Irises as thank you gifts to the organising team.
Then it was time to be off...
Our sustainable transport cycling heroes hit the road home.
We were uplifted by all of our visitors.
The Open Day had a beautiful, relaxed and fun atmosphere and the interest and support shown for the Sanctuary Mahi Whenua was gratifying.
Thanks to EVERYONE who made Sunday such a wonderful success.
And please don't forget to vote Trevor for 'Gardener of the Year' here: https://t.comms.stuff.co.nz/webApp/PAPP1875)
Happy Gardening everyone.
