Background:  Auckland, NZ, has areas where there are higher rates of lifestyle related health issues, including obesity and Type 2 diabetes.  The Diabetes Projects Trust (DPT) is a Charitable Trust researching and delivering services to prevent Type 2 diabetes and it’s complications. DPT has run the MOH/ DHB funded Gardens4Health programme since 2009 helping setup and support community gardens.   There are 55 community gardens/food projects with over 2000 participants involved across Auckland. 

Aim:  To gain a greater understanding of what does and doesn’t work in the G4H programme and determine if community gardening really makes a difference.   Questions included was it meeting its aims, characteristics of community gardeners/their roles/commitments, and what impact on knowledge, behaviour, health of gardeners/people around them?

Method: Mixed methods evaluation of G4H programme involving an online (face-validated) survey of participants/stakeholders, selected interviews, and project documentation analysis.

Results:  Gardeners came from a range of backgrounds, age groups and ethnicities, and spent hours to days working on gardening related activities including administration. The overwhelming majority of feedback showed positive changes in health status and behaviours including healthy eating and physical activity.  Participants and non-gardening stakeholders prized social/community benefits and knowledge/skills.  Home gardens proliferated in relation to the community gardens. Barriers to gardening require further followup, however included perceived lack of knowledge/skill, time, funding, transport, cultural and personal.

Conclusion/recommendations:  Stakeholders report a range of health and other benefits from involvement with the G4H/Community gardening and gardening is a valid tool for improving health at a community level. The G4H model of supporting community members to take responsibility themselves seems to be effective however leadership and community engagement is fundamental. Funding is an ongoing issue, and there are always improvements to make on relationships, communication and processes.  Further study topics were identified for future attention.