All about te taiao

Once Were Gardeners host Kara Rickard learns about growth, healing and purpose

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Broadcaster and TV presenter Kara Rickard grew up in Raglan and, after 20 years in Auckland, has moved her whānau back there.

Her involvement with Once Were Gardeners grew out of a desire to learn more about how our tipuna (ancestors) used the māra (garden) and because it’s a beautiful way to share that mātauranga (knowledge) with future generations.

Are you a keen gardener and do you have any mentors?

In Auckland, we had about 27 different varieties of fruit trees, but I never had much time for a proper garden, apart from herbs, lettuces and silver beet. I'd say my mother is my biggest mentor. I also have great memories of harvesting kūmara with my grandfather when I was younger. He was a bit of a tohunga when it came to gardening. My love for gardening has increased tenfold since we filmed the series.