Alaina Sims

If it's sunny day, there's no doubt you'll find Alaina and her young family getting their hands dirty at Iranui Garden, the family's one acre permaculture site that uses no-dig gardening techniques to grow a variety of fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers.   

Alaina hold certificates in Horticulture and Organic Primary Production and a BA in English. She enjoys teaching and writing material for courses in no-dig gardening and permaculture throughout the year, and during the summer months, she holds garden tours and flower arranging workshops at Iranui Garden. In 2021, Alaina helped to re-establish the Pahiatua Community Garden, and in 2022, she created the Pahiatua Seed Library. Alaina also runs the group Tararua Permaculture. 

When she's not gardening, Alaina enjoys teaching dance classes, homeschooling her children, and sharing cuddles with favourite garden supervisors, her two senior dogs, Peppers the Westie and Winnie the Schnoodle.