Fukuoka Friendship

Tuesday, 10th June 2025 at 8:07am

Fukuoka Friendship Garden - Working Bee

Three of our Japanese International students did a fantastic job at the Fukuoka Friendship Garden Working Bee on Saturday!

Seita Hanada (Yr 11) from Fukuoka, Katsuki Miyake (Yr 12) whose dad is from Fukuoka, and Rintaro Takeda (Yr 13), along with three of their friends (who study at Pakuranga College and Botany Downs) had a master class in gardening on Saturday, learning key skills in weeding and planting.

Little did they know, they were working alongside Yuka Matsui (wife of the Japanese Consular-General), Alexandra Bonham, Genevieve Sage and Richard Northey (Auckland Council Waitematā local board members)!

They all quickly picked up how to weed 'Japanese-style', and soon got involved with moving compost and new plants around the garden, as well as sweeping up huge piles of autumn leaves.

Their biggest project though, was to plant NZ natives in a long bed along the exterior of the public-facing garden wall, working alongside Landscape gardeners Lee Elliott and Alexandra Bonham to plant masses of plants, and did a fantastic job.

If you are walking past the Auckland Zoo, towards Western Springs, you’ll see their fantastic efforts!