Ron Keat Mara Garden

Ron Keat Mara Garden is a community garden on Ron Keat Drive in Papakura, right next to Massey Park. It’s one of a growing network of community-led food gardens across the Papakura area — small pockets of public land where locals come together to grow, share, and connect around kai.

The garden is overseen by Tane Douglas Egglestone, and its work is supported by a strong set of partners. It’s a partner site in Gardens4Health, a Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa programme that uses community gardens as a tool for nutrition, prevention, and connection across Counties Manukau. Auckland Council backs the garden as part of its wider Papakura community-gardens network, alongside sites at Rollerson Park, Smiths Avenue, Hingaia Reserve, McLennan Avenue, and others.

In November 2025, Citycare Property delivered two new planter boxes to the site — part of their stated commitment to “growing a more sustainable and connected community” in South Auckland. Other supporters have included Zealandia (seedlings) and Horticentre in Drury (tools).

For anyone in Papakura interested in growing food together, picking up practical horticulture skills, or simply seeing what a working community garden looks like in action, Ron Keat is worth a visit.