Shades of rich green and sunny yellow have brightened up the Council gardens on Brown Street behind the Civic Centre in recent weeks.

Protected by the canopy of the gardens’ tōtara trees, pumpkin and courgette (zucchini) plants are flourishing.

The addition of the vegetable plants is a collaboration of Upper Hutt City Council staff in support of a pumpkin growing competition as part of the inaugural Upper Hutt Food Week, to be held from 21-29 March 2026.

The Growing Sustainability Trust, in partnership with community organisations, farmers, businesses, and the Council, is currently finalising an exciting programme of food markets, workshops, and family events for the city’s first-ever Food Week.

The initiative aims to create a platform for sharing knowledge and skills, acknowledging growers and farmers, and celebrating local food.

The community-wide pumpkin growing competition was launched by Heritage Nursery and the Upper Hutt Fruit and Vege Co-op at Greenstone Doors, and is leading up to a grand judging finale during Upper Hutt Food Week.

Local businesses Upper Hutt Produce and Aston Norwood are supporting the competition by sponsoring a range of prizes, guaranteed to delight budding and experienced gardeners alike.

Upper Hutt’s schools have joined in with much enthusiasm. The city’s youngest gardeners are keen on developing their green thumbs – and showing that you don’t need to be a gardening expert to start growing your own food.

Produce from the plants currently being tended in the Council gardens will be donated to local food banks across the city.  

How to enter the competition

It’s not too late to join in! Find out more about the competition here.

Source: Upper Hutt City Council

14/01/26