Kia ora koutou from the team at RECAP
As part of the new societies act, all incorporated societies have to update their constitutional rules by April 2026. We are in the process of finalizing our RECAP constitution and will be holding a general meeting of RECAP members (and those who may wish to become a RECAP member) in September. More info to come.
Winter is sometimes a quiet time for us at RECAP. While we work on some exciting new workshops for the later part of the year (and 2025) I thought I’d give you all a brief overview/update on RECAP as a whole to show the scope of work we do in our community.
As of July 2025 RECAP provide the following services and maintain the following projects:
McCrae’s Bush: this is an area of native bush/wetlands that has been looked after by a group of volunteers supported by RECAP for around 6 years. They hand weed to control the invasives in the area, advocate for the area to PNCC and Horizons to ensure dead trees are cleared and walking tracks are well maintained; and have replanted the area with natives. At present we have noticed an uptick of pests in the orchard/bush area. PNCC have placed 20+ traps which they maintain; but late 2024 and 2025 we have some time dedicated to involving surrounding residents in trapping efforts to support the health of both the natives and the orchard’s fruit trees. If you are a neighbor to McCrae’s and you would like to assist in pest control by having a trap or two on your property, please contact us: info@recap.org.nz
Olsson Community Orchard This area within McCrae’s bush was planted in 2012 with mostly heritage trees (including apples, pears, figs, plums, peaches, hazelnuts and more). This functions primarily as a teaching orchard: we run pruning workshops where we offer the unique experience of getting hands on with the loppers and secateurs while being taught. Any produce in the orchard is free for the community to pick - we ask that you take only what you need and leave some for others.
Ashhurst Library Garden The plantings around the library are looked after by a dedicated group of volunteers, and out back are fruit trees and vegetable beds. Please feel free to pick anything that is ready.
Māra rongoā We began planting this garden (next to Ashhurst Health Care) in March 2024. This is filled with traditional Māori medicinal plants as well as other natives. There is still room and budget to plant more here and we are working on educational signage (similar to the domain) once these plants are more established.
Sharing Shelf A space to gift/receive extra produce, shelf stable food and gardening items just outside the library (please do not leave anything that is not edible or plantable).
Seed Library Within the Ashhurst library is our seed library. Anyone is free to take 3 packets of seeds per month (please write your name and seeds taken in the log book). Ngā mihi nui to Jo Smith who puts lots of time and love into keeping this looking beautiful and restocking it with seasonally appropriate seeds.
Crop Swap The first Saturday of each month we host a Crop Swap in the Ashhurst Library between 11am-1pm. Not a direct ‘swap’ as such, but you are free to gift, or to take whatever is on offer. Often there are seedlings, seeds, cuttings, plants, fruit, veggies, baking and more.
RECAP Community Kai This is a rescued food distribution service that runs at the back of the library from 3:15-4:15 each Tuesday. This is a ‘no questions asked’ service where you are able to select what you want/need from the food and other items that have been donated.
Education We run regular workshops and seminars on a variety of topics based in resilience and sustainability. These are intended to empower people with practical skills and knowledge.
Other things we do in our community: We run a twice weekly garden club at Ashhurst school where we teach tamariki skills around growing kai. We run educational activities at the Ashhurst Library during their school holiday programme. We’ve worked with local councils to plant more fruit trees in public places. We’ve planted natives with local tamariki. We offer a variety of regular and casual volunteer opportunities. And much more! We’ve been in operation in Ashhurst for well over a decade, and overall we aim to engage in activities which support the wellbeing of both residents and our local environment as well as connecting our community.
To sign up to our newsletter or to volunteer please contact us at info@recap.org.nz
And as always - a big ngā mihi to the many volunteers who make up RECAP.
Noho ora mai
-- Chris Love RECAP coordinator