About us

Enabling kids

to get growing

Growing OKE

What is Oke all about

Oke provide Kiwi kids the opportunity to learn life and social skills by introducing productive gardens into schools.  By giving the kids the tools to learn, Oke are empowering schools and communities, ultimately providing a better place for everyone. Learn more about the Oke Growing A Future initiative…

Oke plans to give

every kiwi kid a

school garden

At Oke Charity, our mission is to cultivate a love for learning and healthy living in children by building school gardens throughout Aotearoa. We believe that every child should have access to fresh, nutritious food and the opportunity to learn about where their food comes from.

Through our work, we aim to inspire and educate our tamariki on the importance of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. We strive to create safe and nurturing outdoor spaces where children can connect with nature, develop life skills, and build meaningful relationships with their peers.

We are committed to promoting equity and inclusivity in our projects, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or ability, has equal access to the benefits of our school gardens. Our goal is to empower children to become confident, resilient, and socially responsible individuals who are equipped to make a positive impact in their communities and the world.

Through Growing A Future, Oke deliver a garden to each school, enabling the kids, teachers and local community to get growing. The garden is built through a community working bee (in just ONE day) and includes all that is required to make it sustainable; raised beds, greenhouse, composting solutions, kids tools, teacher tools, irrigation, fruit trees etc.  Each Growing a Future project for a school is worth over $25,000. We work hard all year to raise enough funds so our “Growing a Future” gardens don’t cost the school a cent. We are very grateful to work with some amazing sponsors, funders, volunteers and contributors who support us to make this possible. 

Check out our Working Bee Schedule to see the next school receiving Growing A Future and find out more about our awesome partners. 

key outcomes

What makes us diferent?

Building

We build school gardens at zero cost to schools

learning

Learning

The gardens we build can be used for all manner of learning, not just gardening

Engaging

We help schools engage with their communities through gardening

Meet the Oke Crew

Paul Dickson

Paul came up with the crazy idea of creating the #H2HWalk back in 2012. After the successes of the fundraiser, he decided to do things a little bit backward and then create the OKE Charity. The daily tasks required to run OKE are carried out by Paul…when he’s not on Daddy Daycare duty!

Helen Porter

Helen joined the Oke Crew in March 2023, as the new Oke School Mate. With her background in retail gardening and her love for teaching kids how to garden, Helen is a fantastic addition to the Oke Crew, helping schools to make the most of their school gardens.

Alisi Kivalu

Alisi joined the Oke Crew in April 2021 as the South Auckland Chief Go-Getter. Living and breathing Otara life, Alisi is helping to connect the Oke Charity with the community where it all began. Whilst getting stuck in to help build more school gardens.

The Oke Board aka The Kick Ass Oke Squad (KAOS)

Anj Dickson

Pete White

Rebekah
Watts

Janna
Ash

We're
Looking

Shannil
Varma