When Passion Meets Paradise: A Green and Wild Visit to Troppo

It is not every day a passion project meets someone who shares your vision for a greener, more sustainable world. When Bahareh from Green and Wild visited Troppo — our urban tropical food forest and nursery in Te Puke — it was more than a tour. It was a meeting of minds about turning urban space into lush, productive landscape.

Through her lens, gardens become stories of connection between people and nature. Having Troppo part of that narrative honours the work of Vector Group Charitable Trust in building a living example of sustainable, community-focused growing. Explore her garden tours at Green and Wild and on YouTube.

Troppo: food security and tropical diversity

Troppo shows what happens when permaculture meets innovative growing. As part of Vector Group’s kai resilience work, it demonstrates how urban land can become abundant, biodiverse, and useful for fresh, nutrient-rich food. Learn more on troppo.nz.

We focus on tropical and subtropical plants many would not expect in New Zealand — bananas, papaya, cherimoya, guava, cacao, and more — challenging assumptions about what can thrive in local microclimates.

Kai resilience in the Bay of Plenty

Kai resilience is taking root across the region. Troppo sits within a wider vision that includes the Mana Kai Mana Ora initiative led by Poutiri Charitable Trust — fresh, nutritious, culturally appropriate food for Western Bay communities — and the Bay of Plenty Kai Resilience Network, connecting growers and advocates.

Food forests like Troppo put those plans into practice: less dependence on distant supply chains, stronger connection to whenua, and communities better prepared for disruption.

A meaningful exchange

Bahareh’s visit was an exchange between people who care about gardens and sustainable food systems. She captured the spirit of the forest; we shared stories about the future of resilience in our communities.

Thank you, Bahareh, for shining a light on Troppo and helping spread the message of food security and ecological diversity. The journey toward a more abundant, connected Bay of Plenty is best travelled together — and we look forward to more collaborations that inspire others to get growing.

Explore more: Troppo · Grow Te Puke · Food forest tours · Kai resilience