Join us Saturday 21st March 2026 from 9am–3pm for our Harvest Festival in partnership with Upper Hutt Food Week. It’ll be a little different from our usual Open Days: more stalls, more food, and more of our community involved. Expect fresh local produce, regenerative farm tours, kai tastings, nature play for tamariki, a Pumpkin Competition, and more. 🎟️ Tickets are FREE - Please register at https://store.mangaroa.org/products/mangaroa-farms-harvest-festival-sat-21st-march-2026-10am-3pm HARVEST FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: - Local Mangaroa Lunch / BBQ - Live music & good vibes with Carlos Riegel & Casual Healing - Garden tours (Very Limited Spaces — Sign Up Now) - Permaculture Orchard Tours - Kids Zone with face paint & craft activities - Local vendors & marketplace - Coffee cart - Sheep dog demos - Sheep shearing - Farm Trail Loop ABOUT FOOD WEEK Upper Hutt Food Week is coming to life for the first time, 21st–29th March 2026 - a celebration of local food, culture, and community. Think of it like the Upper Hutt Arts Trail, but with kai. All across the region, organisations, cafés, foodbanks, schools, community groups and marae will be putting on a rich spread of workshops, shared meals, foraging walks and events. We’re proud to be kicking it all off at Mangaroa Farms. It’s a moment to mark the changing of the seasons, celebrate the harvest, and deepen our connection to kai grown here in Upper Hutt. Whether you’re a grower, a cook, a food lover or just curious, this is your chance to meet others who care about where our food comes from and where it could go next. Then from 22nd–29th March, Mangaroa will continue to host a range of food-focused workshops and experiences across the week - with some wonderful guest facilitators. Details to come. Come be part of this growing movement toward local food resilience, shared learning and community connection. Nau mai, haere mai. Let’s get amongst it. 📍 Hosted at the Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai 98 Whitemans Valley Road Watch this video from our 2024 Open Day: https://vimeo.com/1014588536 GARDEN TOUR TIMES (book a $20 ticket at the link above) - Garden Tour 1: 10AM - 10:45AM - Garden Tour 2: 11AM - 11:45AM - Garden Tour 3: 1PM - 1:45PM - Garden Tour 4: 2PM - 2:45PM PERMACULTURE ORCHARD TOUR TIMES - Permaculture Orchard Tour 1: 11AM - 11:45AM - Permaculture Orchard Tour 2: 1PM - 1:45PM TICKETS - General Admission - FREE (no garden tour included) - Garden Tour - $20 for a timeslot of your choice. Limited spots available! Kids are free with adults We look forward to sharing the Mangaroa Farms gardens, kai, community & trails with you. Please get in touch with events@mangaroa.org if you would like to be involved.

The only leek you’ll ever want in your kitchen 🥬 Fresh from the soil, sweet and full of flavour. Gentle on the puku, kind to the heart, and a wee boost for your immune system - we’ve got an abundance of Leeks harvested from the gardens, and we’d love for you to try them. Grill ‘em, roast ‘em, or stir through a soup. Available now in the Farm Shop/Kete Kai, while they last 🛒 Visit us this weekend Tues - Fri 11am - 5pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 10am - 5pm 📍 98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt #mangaroafarms #leeks #farmshop #leaking

It’s that time again - Open Day is back at Mangaroa Farms 🙌🏽🌻☀️ Join us Saturday 1st November from 9am - 3pm for a full day of music, kai, community, and whenua. Our last Open Day saw over 1500 people through the gates - this time we’re aiming for even bigger. FEATURING: - Garden tours with Cam & team (these always sell out so book your spot on our website - Permaculture orchard tours & explore our first polyculture maze - Live music from Casual Healing & friends - Farm-fresh kai featuring our famous smoked lamb buns, sausages, veggies & more - Market stalls, Coffee cart & other artisan producers - Farm demos, including sheep dogs, ponies & more - Kids zone, crafts & a range of activities - Access to our full 4km Farm Trail Loop General entry is FREE. Garden tours $20 (kids come free). So bring along the whole whānau, meet the animals, soak up the vibes, and enjoy a real day on the farm. Volunteer spots are open too. If you want to get involved, email volunteers@mangaroa.org or head to the link in our bio. Our Farm Shop will be open all day from 9am - 5pm, with fresh produce, local goods, and regenerative meat from our pastures. Register here https://store.mangaroa.org/products/mangaroa-farms-open-day-sat-1st-november 📍 Visit us at Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai, 98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt #mangaroafarms #openday #regenerativeagriculture #whanau #upperhutt #farmshop #soilhealth #localfood

We've got Akaroa King Salmon available this week at te Kete Kai 🐟 Raised in the cold, pure south pacific waters of Akaroa Harbour, @akaroasalmonnz is buttery, clean and deliciously tender. It's one of the few ocean-farmed salmon in the world certified at the highest level for sustainability. Alongside freshly stocked shelves of local organically grown produce, meat, eggs, milk, butter, warm Mangaroa pies, fresh bouquets of local flowers & more - we've got something for the whole family this weekend. Come out for a visit and grab a basket while the produce is fresh. SHOP HOURS Tues - Fri 11am - 5pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 10am - 5pm 📍 98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt #mangaroafarms #akaroakingsalmon #akaroasalmonnz #smokedfish #farmshop #ketekai #upperhutt #localfood #freshveges #supportlocal

Zeb getting stoked on the mulch at Mangaroa permaculture orchard that's coming together on the paddock behind the market garden. Mulch is a living gift for the soil. When we spread it across the orchard, we’re bringing warmth, moisture balance, and a whole crew of tiny lifeforms with it. Bacteria, nematodes, protozoa – all buzzing away, turning carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus into food for the whenua. Even on a frosty morning, this pile was steaming, alive with microbial energy. These mulch rows will create fungal highways allowing for a smooth exhange of nutrients between plants. Mulch keeps the soil steady through summer droughts and winter storms, but more than that, it’s a way of feeding the land so it can feed us. Planting is well underway, and the whenua is loving it. We're excited to see this layer of goodness do its mahi 🍃 Stay tuned for more updates. #mangaroafarms #permaculture #orchard #agroforestry #regenerativeagriculture #mulch #marketgarden #nzfarming

Over the past few months, we’ve been running a Workaway volunteer programme for passionate young travellers from around the world to come and stay, share in our way of life, and get their hands in the soil. This steady flow of "regenerates" live communally at our house named "Te Whare Toka", guided by the steady presence of Zeb and Halina. Days are spent learning growing principles in the garden, planting trees, harvesting kai, pulling weeds, feeding lambs, and helping out with whatever's needed around the farm. More than just the mahi, it’s about connection. Shared meals around the table. Jams on the porch. Laughter in the garden. Hikes through the forest. Late night discussions. It's been awesome having this mix of cultures and energies woven into the Mangaroa whānau. Each person brings something special, and we’re grateful for the way they show up, get involved, and bring their spirit to this place. Huge mihi to everyone who’s come through already, and to all those still to arrive. You’re helping shape the future of this special place. You can learn more about the international workaway program at https://mangaroa.org/mahi-exchange Local? Apply to volunteer with us at https://mangaroa.org/volunteer #mahiexchange #woofing #workaway #volunteer #opportunities #mangaroafarms #wellington #travelnz

We're warmly welcoming Jake & Miki Coulston – our new Farm Managers here at Mangaroa Farms. Recently shifting into the farmhouse with their two daughters and nine hard-working farm dogs, the crew is settling in fast. We’re feeling lucky to have them join the kaupapa. Jake grew up just down the road, with deep whānau roots in this valley. After a few years abroad, he returns to the whenua with fresh eyes and a strong sense of belonging, bringing with him stories about the history of the area. Miki brings a huge amount of experience and calm leadership energy to the role, and between the two of them, they’ll be helping to guide our farm operations, future planning, and support some new regenerative initiatives on the land. They’re already getting stuck into the rhythms of life here – as spring lambing ramps up. We’re excited by their genuine enthusiasm, care for the animals, their whānau approach, and big-picture thinking. If you see them around the farm or in the shop, give them a wave (or a treat for the dogs). Nau mai, haere mai Miki, Jake and whānau 🙌🏽🌻 #mangaroafarms #regenerativefarming #farmmanagers #coulstonpower #alwaysbeplanting

JOIN OUR TEAM 🧑‍🌾 We are looking for a part-time retail superstar for 2 days a week in the Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai - with additional hours on rotation. This person would have at least 2 years retail experience, be confident with customer service, POS systems (ideally Shopify), and has a knack for instagram stories & facebook posts. You will be handling everything from orders and suppliers, to restocking and cash-ups - so a proactive, friendly, and flexible vibe is a must. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you 🙌🏽 Email online@mangaroa.org with your cover letter & CV by Wednesday 19th November. More details here: https://mangaroa.org/jobs #mangaroafarms #farmshop #ketekai #localfood #werehiring #upperhutt

We’re pretty stoked on the brand new line of fridges at Te Kete Kai Farm Shop 🙌🏽🌿❄️ They’re full of local, organically grown kai – crisp salad mixes, regeneratively grown veggies, pasture raised beef & lamb, fresh organic eggs & bread, tangy ferments and more. Swing by, say kia ora and grab something good for dinner (or a cheeky snack) 🍪 Visit us this week: Open Tuesday - Friday 11am - 5pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 10am - 5pm #mangaroa #farmshop #ketekai #supportlocal #regenerative #foodhub #kairesilience

At our last team hui, we paused together to give thanks and offer karakia for one of the great elders of this land - the mighty Kahikatea. After centuries of standing watch over the valley, the wise old tree had begun its final transition. Easily 300 to 400 years old, this rākau had stood while its whanaunga - Tōtara, Mataī, Rimu, and other Kahikatea - were taken out by selective logging. Watched as generations of people came, and went. At the same time, it has also witnessed the renewal. People returning to plant trees beneath its sheltering limbs. Thousands of native seedlings taking root at its base. The beginning of what we now call Ancestors Grove - a living seedbank, growing with the spirit of those who came before. As a team we walked from the yurt along the farm trail, past the paddocks full of spring lambs - past all the signs of new life. As we passed planted areas, we reflected on how many hands have helped replant this whenua in the last few years. How many hearts have shown up for the mahi. Eventually, we had to make the hard call. With half of the tree already recently falling down, and the remaining base no longer stable, it became a safety risk to our team and those walking the trail. So we brought in a local arborist to respectfully bring it down. Before it fell, we stood together and spoke this karakia Whakarongo ake au Ki te tangi a te manu E karanga nei, tīhei mauri ora!Kua hinga te kahikatea I te wao nui a Tāne He tohu mō te kaha, he tohu mō te manaE Tāne e! Tiakina tōu ngahere, Tiakina tōu mauri.Haere rā e te rākau rangatira, Haere rā ki te pō. I listen To the call of the bird Proclaiming the breath of life! The kahikatea has fallen In the great forest of Tāne A symbol of strength, a symbol of prestige O Tāne! Guard your forest, Guard its life essence. Farewell noble tree, Farewell into the night. 🌳 Mauri ora #kahikatea #mangaroafarms #ancestorsgrove #renewal #regeneration #ancestors #tupuna #mangaroa #mangaroariver #upperhutt #karakia #tewaonuiotane

As the sheep move down the lane, under the shade of tall Tōtara trees, we remember that 200 years ago these pastures would have been a forest full of giants like Tōtara, Kahikatea, and more. What we see now is part of a long story - shaped by colonisation, clearing, grazing, and time. But remnants of the old forests are still here, roots deep in the earth, stories, and seeds waiting patiently beneath the soil. It's in these moments that we are reminded how so much of "regenerating the land" is about listening to what came before, so we can plant for what’s yet to come. 🌳🐑 #regenerativeagriculture #mangaroafarms #tōtara #whenua #rematriation #sheepfarming #whitemansvalley #nzfarming

A good pie is worth the mission 🥧 Mangaroa Pies have landed — baked fresh in collab with @dough__bakery 🧑‍🍳 two delicious flavours: steak & cheese + bolognaise. Available from the farm shop Fri–Sun, 11:30am–5pm (or until sold out). GIVEAWAY: Tag a mate who’d 100% make the trek for a proper pie. We’ll pick 10 winners to score 10 pies. Pies must be picked up in store, and are subject to availability on the day of pickup. Winners announced next Thursday 11 Sep. Come get em! #mangaroafarms #regenerativeagriculture #mangaroapies

Mangaroa Farms presents the first Wellington screening of the critically acclaimed new film by Happen Films: The New Peasants. Hosted Saturday 22nd November, 7-9pm inside the Mangaroa Farms Yurt - followed by a Q&A with Meg (star of the show) held over zoom after the screening. ABOUT THE MOVIE The New Peasants film offers an intimate look into the life of Meg, Patrick, Zephyr, and Woody. A family who, for 20 years, have been transitioning away from modern industrial culture toward a radically simple, sustainable, and beautiful way of life. Concerns about the industrial food system and environmental crises provided the family’s initial motivation to live differently. Now it’s 15 years since they’ve eaten from a supermarket or owned a car. The household, living intentionally below the poverty line and meeting 80% of their needs without using money, is nonetheless rich in so many ways. Wealth is found in their cellar of preserved foods, connections with community, saved seeds, homesteading skills and the time to focus on what really matters in life. Yet the decision to live this way has brought profound challenges for their family, in the form of their eldest son’s encounters with the law. These experiences have produced immense grief, but, in the end, also great joy. WHAT TO BRING The yurt is a cosy space but we definitely recommend a beanbag, blankets and cushions. Chairs will be available, but you might like to be a little more comfortable.

🌳 Join us for Tree Planting alongside the Mangaroa River. 1️⃣ Saturday 16th Aug, 10am - 3pm (This weekend) 2️⃣ Saturday 6th Sep, 10am - 3pm featuring our mates from @forestandbird Be part of the ongoing biodiversity and riparian restoration at Mangaroa Farms with a supportive group of volunteers planting up to 2000 plants in the ground alongside the Mangaroa River. There is a short flat walk of around 5-10 minutes from the carpark to the planting site. Map provided upon registration BBQ & refreshments will be provided from 2pm. Bring along: - Jacket and warm clothes for a range of weather - Boots or stout shoes - Gloves - if you have them - A spade if you have one - Water bottle Register at https://store.mangaroa.org/collections/events #treeplanting #volunteers #mangaroafarms #riparian #river #restoration #biodiversity #regeneration #mangaroariver

It’s that time again - Open Day is back at Mangaroa Farms 🙌🏽🌻☀️ Join us Saturday 1st November from 9am - 3pm for a full day of music, kai, community, and whenua. Our last Open Day saw over 1500 people through the gates - this time we’re aiming for even bigger. FEATURING: - Garden tours with Cam & team (these always sell out so book your spot on our website - Permaculture orchard tours & explore our first polyculture maze - Live music from Casual Healing & friends - Farm-fresh kai featuring our famous smoked lamb buns, sausages, veggies & more - Market stalls, Coffee cart & other artisan producers - Farm demos, including sheep dogs, ponies & more - Kids zone, crafts & a range of activities - Access to our full 4km Farm Trail Loop General entry is FREE. Garden tours $20 (kids come free). So bring along the whole whānau, meet the animals, soak up the vibes, and enjoy a real day on the farm. Volunteer spots are open too. If you want to get involved, email volunteers@mangaroa.org or head to the link in our bio. Our Farm Shop will be open all day from 9am - 5pm, with fresh produce, local goods, and regenerative meat from our pastures. Register here https://store.mangaroa.org/products/mangaroa-farms-open-day-sat-1st-november 📍 Visit us at Mangaroa Farm Shop / Kete Kai, 98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt #mangaroafarms #openday #regenerativeagriculture #whanau #upperhutt #farmshop #soilhealth #localfood Hutt Valley NZ My Upper Hutt

The garden team is looking forward to the new tunnel house - being installed here by our man Casey Mcneil 🔨 With the winter (and spring) we’ve had, space inside the main tunnel house sheltered away from the elements, is prized for our most precious crops - including Tomatoes, Zucchini, Cucumber, new seedlings & micros. This “new” greenhouse was leftover from an old movie set on the farm last year, and we’re stoked to re-use it for growing nutrient dense veges 🙌🏽🌿🍅🥦 #tunnelhouse #mangaroafarms #alwaysbeplanting

25 volunteers, 1000 native trees 🌳 Huge thanks to everyone who came out to help restore our newly fenced area back into wetlands, flanking a stream edge, and expanding the edges of a young regenerating beech forest. Riparian planting like this protects waterways, brings back the birdlife, aquatic life, and keeps the whenua thriving. It's amazing what can be achieved with many hands. Afterwards, our hard working crew enjoyed a BBQ and soup prepared by @carlos.riegel and @annaleigh at Te Wharekai. Shout out to Peter Handford and the Groundtruth team for coordinating with @zebulon to make it happen 🙌🏽 Tree planting is a deeply satisfying act - you place a seedling in the ground and know it will outlast you. Create a connection to place and plant a tree with your whānau. Join our next planting day Saturday 6th September from 10am - 3pm. Tree Planting at Mangaroa Farms Register online at https://store.mangaroa.org/products/tree-planting-with-forest-bird-sat-6th-sep-10am-3pm #treeplanting #riparianrestoration #mangaroafarms #volunteer #riverrestoration #teawaomangaroa #mangaroariver

We've got Akaroa King Salmon available this week at te Kete Kai 🐟 Raised in the cold, pure south pacific waters of Akaroa Harbour, @akaroasalmonnz is buttery, clean and deliciously tender. It's one of the few ocean-farmed salmon in the world certified at the highest level for sustainability. Alongside freshly stocked shelves of local organically grown produce, meat, eggs, milk, butter, warm Mangaroa pies, fresh bouquets of local flowers & more - we've got something for the whole family this weekend. Come out for a visit and grab a basket while the produce is fresh. SHOP HOURS Tues - Fri 11am - 5pm Sat 9am - 5pm Sun 10am - 5pm 📍 98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt #mangaroafarms #akaroakingsalmon #akaroasalmonnz #smokedfish #farmshop #ketekai #upperhutt #localfood #freshveges #supportlocal

Fresh Mangaroa beef arrives at the Farm Shop / Kete Kai today - come and grab your favourite cuts while they are fresh 🥩 SHOP HOURS Tue - Fri 11am-5pm Sat 9am-5pm Sun 10am-5pm 📍 98 Whitemans Valley Road, Upper Hutt

Calling all Coffee Carts ☕️ we're on the look out for an organic coffee cart operator to collaborate with us on a Sat/Sun and for future events. Email shop@mangaroa.org to express your interest.

Kia ora e te whānau – a little heads up from the paddocks 🐑 Lambing season is nearly here, and our Ewes need a bit of space and peace to do their thing. From this week, we’ll be closing off the part of the walking track that runs from the market gardens at 108 Whitemans Valley Road, through to Katherine Mansfield Drive. We know the track is a well-loved way to experience the whenua, but the wellbeing of our sheep and their little ones comes first. This closure helps us make sure our mama sheep can give birth safely without stress or interruption. The rest of the track loop remains open for now - but please don’t enter any paddocks under any circumstances. You’ll still spot sheep from the path, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of new life arriving. But please, leave nature to do her thing. Our Farm Manager Miki is checking every ewe twice a day, keeping a close eye to make sure all is well. They’re in good hands. We appreciate your understanding and respect for the rhythms of the farm, it’s all part of sharing this whenua together 🙏🏽 Ngā mihi aroha The Mangaroa Crew #mangaroafarms #lambing #spring #season #koanga #sheepfarming #nzfarming #regenerativeagriculture