Urban community gardens in Ōtautahi Christchurch

Abstract

This report investigates locations and spatial characteristics of actively used urban community gardens (CGs) in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand based on a community garden survey. The survey was conducted between October 2024 and February 2025 in response to a lack of reliable data regarding the number and locations of actively used urban CGs in Christchurch. The study area included the urbanised areas of Christchurch City as defined by the Christchurch District Plan. Out of 57 investigated potential CG locations, 37 gardens met our definition of actively used CGs within the study area. The survey collected three types of data: basic information about the gardens, including their locations, land data and spatial information, and on-site inventory-based information. By providing updated data on actively used urban CGs in Christchurch, their locations and various characteristics, the report serves as a source of information for researchers, garden communities, NGOs, and municipal stakeholders.