An Auckland artist is planning to turn an under-used reserve in Otara into an fruit orchard for locals to use.
A D Schierning says she came up with the idea of freedom fruit gardens after learning by first-hand experience how difficult it is to feed a child on a tight budget.
Ms Schierning says the Preston Road Reserve in Otara, next to Rongomai Primary School, was chosen because it is large and has soil that drains well.
She says 200 students will help plant almost 60 fruit trees in June, including feijoa, peach, plum, and orange.
After finishing the project in Otara, Ms Schierning hopes to establish another fruit garden in Lower Hutt.
