COMMON GROUND: GARDEN HISTORIES OF AOTEAROA

A Talk with Author MATT MORRIS

SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER, 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Author and community gardens activist Matt Morris talks about his new book, COMMON GROUND: GARDEN HISTORIES OF AOTEAROA, a history of gardening in Aotearoa New Zealand from year 1200 to 2020.

Matt's work explores the rich history of gardens created and maintained by ordinary people, from the first waka to today, sharing stories and practices sown in the land, in our culture, and by our communities.

Join us at Kelmarna Gardens to find out more about Matt's ground-breaking work, to ask questions of the author, to share in insights from NZ's first national community gardens survey, and to have an opportunity to come away with a copy of this beautiful book!

Learn more about the author and the book:

Matt's interview with Nine to Noon, RNZ
Book Review by Linda Herrick, Kete Books
Book Review by James Beattie, Landfall Review Online
More information from the publisher, Otago University Press

--

Matt Morris has always lived in Ōtautahi Christchurch. After completing a PhD on Christchurch garden history, he began working in the Sustainability Office at the University of Canterbury, where he has remained since 2009.

He is deeply involved in community-led food resilience initiatives, has been for over 20 years, and has surrounded his home in New Brighton with fruit trees and vegetables. He is also the founder of The Urban Monk, a company making New Zealand's only certified organic sauerkraut.

--

This event is pay-what-you-want, which means you can choose how much to pay for your ticket, or even attend this seminar for free.

The proceeds from your donations are in support of the Kelmarna Gardens Education Programme, which collaborates with schools and community organisations to provide nature- and inquiry-based learning for tamariki, and skills-based community-oriented learning opportunities for everyone.

--

Author photo courtesy of University of Canterbury.