About Us
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- OUR STORY
The Maungaturoto Edible Village Project was created to help reconnect people with food, nature, and community.
In recent generations, much of the knowledge around growing food, recognising edible plants, and understanding the natural cycles of the land has been lost. At the same time, many communities have become more disconnected from the sources of their food.
This project aims to help rebuild that knowledge by bringing people together to learn directly from the land and from each other.
By creating spaces where practical knowledge can be shared, the project encourages curiosity, self-sufficiency, and a stronger connection to the natural environment.
Our Vision
Our vision is to see Maungaturoto become a place where:
People feel confident growing and preparing their own food
Knowledge of edible and medicinal plants is shared across generations
Communities are more connected to nature and seasonal cycles
Local food resilience is strengthened
Our Approach
The project is built around hands-on learning and seasonal exploration.
Participants are encouraged to observe, gather, prepare, and share plant knowledge in ways that build confidence and understanding over time.
Rather than simply teaching information, the focus is on creating experiences that reconnect people to the living environment around them.
Community Collaboration
The Edible Village Project is supported by passionate community members, educators, and organisations who believe in the importance of reconnecting people with the natural world.
Together we are working to create opportunities for learning, sharing, and strengthening community resilience.
- Our Vision
Our vision is to see Maungaturoto become a place where:
- People feel confident growing and preparing their own food
- Knowledge of edible and medicinal plants is shared across generations
- Communities are more connected to nature and seasonal cycles
- Local food resilience is strengthened
Our Approach
The project is built around hands-on learning and seasonal exploration.
Participants are encouraged to observe, gather, prepare, and share plant knowledge in ways that build confidence and understanding over time.
Rather than simply teaching information, the focus is on creating experiences that reconnect people to the living environment around them.
Community Collaboration
The Edible Village Project is supported by passionate community members, educators, and organisations who believe in the importance of reconnecting people with the natural world.
Together we are working to create opportunities for learning, sharing, and strengthening community resilience.
Meet Our Founder
Josie Gritten is a community-led changemaker, grower, and visionary behind some of Northland’s most inspiring local food initiatives. Rooted in a deep belief that food has the power to connect people, place, and purpose, Josie’s work brings communities together to reimagine how we grow, share, and experience nourishment.
As the founder of the Maungaturoto Edible Village Project, Josie has helped transform public and shared spaces into abundant, accessible food landscapes. What began as a simple idea—to grow food in plain sight, for everyone—has evolved into a thriving, community-powered movement. The project champions resilience, education, and collective stewardship, inviting locals to participate in everything from planting and harvesting to workshops and storytelling.
Josie is also the driving force behind Whā Kaupeka, a kaupapa grounded in seasonal living and reconnection to the natural rhythms of the land. Through Whā Kaupeka, she creates experiences that honour the cycles of the year, weaving together mātauranga Māori, regenerative growing practices, and community gathering. Her work encourages people to slow down, tune in, and rediscover a more reciprocal relationship with the environment.
Known for her ability to bring people together with warmth and authenticity, Josie’s approach is both practical and poetic—bridging grassroots action with a wider vision for food sovereignty and community wellbeing.
Whether she’s in the garden, facilitating a workshop, or collaborating across networks, her focus remains the same: to nurture systems that are
generous, resilient, and deeply connected to place.
Josie’s work continues to inspire a growing movement of people who believe in the power of local food, shared knowledge, and collective care.