Welcome to our Urban Residential Food Forest in Te Puke — a living example of sustainable, community-focused growing. Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s kiwifruit capital, this space is more than just a garden; it’s a thriving ecosystem that fosters kai resilience, food security, and a deep appreciation for the wonders of tropical and rare plants.

24 Apr
Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Region, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

The Tangled Roots of Generosity: Ethical Considerations When Charity-Gifted Plants Enter Commercial Food Forest Events

The spirit of sharing and abundance lies at the heart of many food forest initiatives, often amplified when charitable organizations are involved. Imagine Troppo, an initiative headed up under a local charity, the "Vector Group Charitable Trust" dedicated to fostering community food resilience, gene...

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17 Apr
Te Puke Region, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Cyclone Tam’s Fury Brushes Te Puke: Northern Communities in Our Thoughts

Well, Cyclone Tam has certainly made its presence felt here in Aotearoa! While we in Te Puke haven't borne the brunt of its full force like our whanau up in the Far North, let me tell you, that wind has been something else! For the past day or so, a constant, howling gale has been whipping through ...

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14 Apr
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

A Community Building Toolkit for Bay of Plenty, New Zealand: Cultivating Edible Landscapes Together

1. Introduction: Sowing Seeds for Community Resilience The Vision of Community Food Forests in the Bay of Plenty Community food forests, also referred to as forest gardens, represent a holistic approach to land management that draws inspiration from natural forest ecosystems.1 Unlike conventional ...

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14 Apr
Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Region, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Cultivating the Future: Jared’s Food Forest Tour in Rural Te Puke – Inspiring Youth and Kai Resilience

Here at Troppo.nz, we're passionate about showcasing initiatives that build a more sustainable and resilient future for Aotearoa. Our recent collaboration with Jared on a visit to his burgeoning food forest in rural Te Puke was a truly inspiring experience. We witnessed firsthand his dedication to c...

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22 Mar
Te Puke Region, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

The Easiest Way to Harvest Banana Bunches – Plus an Exciting Ice Cream Project & Saying Goodbye to a Giant!

Troppo shares key activities and insights while preparing for the 'Flavours of Plenty' event and managing their garden. The focus is on banana harvesting techniques, replacing banana clumps with rarer varieties, and handling an overgrown 'green Abyssinian.' https://youtu.be/2jdGwuTpcbc Harvesting ...

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21 Mar
Events and Community Engagement, Exploring New Zealand, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

A Green Encounter: When Green and Wild Visited Troppo’s Urban Tropical Food Forest

It's not every day that your passion project catches the attention of someone who shares your vision for a greener, more sustainable world. That's exactly what happened when Bahareh from Green and Wild visited our Troppo urban tropical food forest and nursery in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty. The excitemen...

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05 Mar
Events and Community Engagement, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Introducing TROPPO’s Kai and Canopy – Growing, Harvesting, and Feasting Together! 🌱🍽️

Welcome to TROPPO's Food Forest Kai and Canopy, our YouTube channel where we take you on a journey from plant to plate! 🌿🥑🍍 Whether you’re a tropical grower, a food forest enthusiast, or just someone who loves the idea of harvesting your own kai, this channel is for you! What You Can Expect on TR...

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27 Feb
Events and Community Engagement, Te Puke Region, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Experience Global Flavors at The Daily’s Kitchen Pop-Up Series!

Are you ready for a culinary adventure that takes your taste buds on a journey across the globe? The Daily is bringing an exclusive Kitchen Pop-Up Series, offering a unique dining experience that showcases vibrant international cuisines. With limited seats available, now’s the time to secure your sp...

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26 Feb
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Events and Community Engagement, Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

The Inspiring Journey of Meeting Owen Mania Takuira-Ngaropo and Joining His Vision for “The Rock” Papamoa Community Gardens

Fourteen years ago, in 2011, the Vector Group Charitable Trust was established, driven by a shared passion for community development, sustainable living, and empowerment. This was the same year that my journey took a remarkable turn when I met Owen Mania Takuira-Ngaropo, the founder of "The Rock" Pa...

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20 Feb
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future

Our Mission: Cultivating a Thriving, Regenerative Future We are committed to creating a thriving, sustainable food forest that not only nourishes our local community but also serves as a model for regenerative agriculture in the Bay of Plenty and beyond. By fostering deep connections between people...

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20 Feb
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Proposal for a Kai Resilience-Based Community Food Forest in Te Puke

Submitted to: Te Puke Community Board For Consideration by: Western Bay of Plenty District Council Prepared by: Date: Introduction This proposal seeks the endorsement and support of the Te Puke Community Board and Western Bay of Plenty District Council for the establishment of a Ka...

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14 Feb
Events and Community Engagement, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Urban Residential Food Forest in Te Puke

A Hub for Kai Resilience, Food Security, and Rare Tropical Plants Welcome to our Urban Residential Food Forest in Te Puke — a living example of sustainable, community-focused growing. Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s kiwifruit capital, this space is more than just a garden; it’s a thriving eco...

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03 Nov
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Vector Group Food Resilience Feasibility Study: Te Puke Region

Feasibility Study for Vector Group Charitable Trust's Food Resilience Vision in Te Puke Region Table of Contents Executive Summary Project Overview: Vector Group Charitable Trust's Food Resilience Vision Defining Kai Resilience, Food Resilience, Food Security, and Food Sovereignty in ...

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17 Jul
REACTS, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Durian REACTS with TROPPO – The Taste: Sweet, Savory, and WTF? 🤷‍♂️🍬🧄

Reaction to Eating Durian: The Worst Fruit in the World! 😂🤢 Durian, often crowned the "King of Fruits," might just as well be the court jester given the reactions it provokes! With a smell that could knock over a sumo wrestler and a taste that sends taste buds on a rollercoaster, this fruit is as i...

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07 Jul
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Growing Up in Papua New Guinea: A Journey Up the Sepik River to Meet the Sepik Tribes

Growing up in Papua New Guinea was a unique and enriching experience, especially when it involved traveling up the Sepik River with my father, who was a missionary. The Sepik River, one of the longest rivers in Papua New Guinea, flows through some of the most remote and culturally rich regions of th...

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27 Apr
Crop Swap Te Puke region, Events and Community Engagement, Food Forests of New Zealand (www.foodforests.nz), Te Puke Community Garden, Te Puke Region Food Co-op, TROPPO's Food Forest in Te Puke, BOP (www.foodforest.org.nz)

Cultivating Community Resilience: A Strategic Plan for a Food Co-op in Te Puke

Executive Summary: This report presents a strategic framework for establishing a unique, fun, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking food co-operative in the Te Puke region of New Zealand, encompassing Maketu and the wider Western Bay of Plenty. The analysis underscores the strong foundation for s...

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