Wellington’s Market Garden

Just 40 minutes from the city streets of Wellington, tucked into the quiet Mangaroa Valley near Upper Hutt, is a place that feels a world away. Mangaroa Farms is a diverse kaupapa — a dynamic way of thinking and being. It’s where fresh air, living soil, and vibrant food systems come together. As Wellington’s premium working market garden, we’re offering something rare: the chance to reconnect with the whenua and your kai, right on the capital’s doorstep.

Mangaroa Farms is a living experiment in regeneration. Once pine forest and rundown dairy farm, it’s now a place of regeneration—for the land, the water, the people. We’re a community food hub, market garden, education centre, and working farm. Our approach is grounded in regenerative agriculture, but it goes deeper than that. We’re looking at what it means to truly live in relationship with the natural world. Each paddock and garden bed is part of a wider story, one that’s guided by the rhythms of nature and the shared responsibility we hold as kaitiaki.

Our farm shop—Kete Kai—is stocked with freshly harvested veg, pasture-raised meat, raw honey, eggs, ferments, and pantry goods from our community of local producers. What’s grown here is grown with care, using no synthetic chemicals, and guided by organic and regenerative principles. We’re on a mission to create integral food systems. Food that tells a story of soil life, hands in the earth, and seasonal rhythms. By visiting our farm, you're choosing to support a living local economy that feeds people and planet.

But it’s not just about what we grow. It’s about the connection. These days, most of us don’t know where our food comes from—or who grew it. At Mangaroa, we’re changing that. We believe knowing your food and your farmer helps build a deeper sense of trust and belonging. Our team is made up of growers, educators, thinkers, and makers. Every person here is part of a wider effort to create systems that nourish, not deplete. And we love sharing this with others—whether it's through kōrero around the fire, hands-on workshops, or seasonal feasts.

Come and experience it for yourself. Wander through the rows of greens and herbs, hear the lambs calling for their mums, or join a garden tour to hear how we’re working with nature rather than against it. The farm is open to visitors, and we love hosting curious minds and wandering feet. Whether you’re here to pick up your veg box, take a workshop, or just breathe in the crisp valley air—it’s a place to slow down, tune in, and get your hands dirty (if you want to).

Mangaroa is also a great spot for whānau. If you're looking for a meaningful day out with the kids, we’ve got you covered. Children light up around animals and gardens—they get to see where eggs come from, watch worms in the compost, and learn without even realising it. Parents can enjoy a coffee and a yarn while the tamariki roam. It’s the kind of place where a family outing becomes a memory.

And if you’re into community, creativity, and good kai—keep an eye on our events. From seasonal open days to workshops, wellbeing experiences, farm-to-table dinners, and hui on everything from soil health to mātauranga Māori, our events are where the magic happens. They’re a chance to connect, learn, laugh, and be inspired. We weave together people from all walks of life—growers, chefs, conservationists, artists, scientists—and create space for new ideas to grow.

So if you’re in Wellington or nearby, come see what’s growing out in the valley. Mangaroa Farms is your local market garden, your nature classroom, your regenerative kai basket. You’re welcome anytime.

Visit us online at mangaroa.org for event updates, farm shop hours, and more about our story.