Meet Nik Woolford
"Garden Coaching is a way for me to share my passion for nature and go on a gardening journey with you"
Hi, I’m Nik. I am a keen gardener and I love sharing this passion with others.
Gardening is essentially about conversing with the ‘natural world’. This world has provided me with a place to observe, listen and interact with nature by tending to gardens, but also having adventures, developing friendships, reflecting and healing.
My garden is one way that allows me to deepen this connection and further develop and understand the meaning of Kaitiakitanga (caring for the land).
Over my career, I have experienced and worked in a range of nature related roles from; nurseries, garden centres, garden maintenance, consulting & design work, garden visits and clubs, woofing and community groups, regenerative native plantings, fruit picking, various horticultural and outdoor education courses, expeditions, school kitchen gardens and even a festival where ‘Kid’s teach Kids’ about their environmental projects!
The time has arrived for me to put this experience to work in my new venture Natured Living.
Since arriving in Hawea Flat in 2015, my partner Scott and I have been developing our 1 acre into a garden designed to nurture us both with food and wild-ness. As with life, it is a work in progress. We patiently learn and watch our garden grow and adapt to the weather extremes of this area. On the calm and sunny days, it is rewarding and the memories of hard work disappear.
‘Garden Coaching’’ is a way for me to share this journey with you. Gardening is just the tip of the iceberg, and I am not referring to lettuce, (well maybe I am). I love helping others to create and care for their garden spaces that become restorative for the earth and people. They can be spaces for growing food, providing habitat for wildlife, self reflection, to share Kai with friends or even a space for healing.
Having a garden space that is well designed and cared for, is essential in having positive experiences. As my garden grows, I too am constantly learning and discovering new things about nature and how ‘we’ work together. A well researched fact is that spending time with nature is “good” for us, which I am happy to concur.
I love the concept of the next generation being referred to as ‘GEN WILD’! Imagine a generation who completely understands our interdependence with nature. This will only happen if our current generation keeps the passion for meaningful and creative ways to promote nature connections!
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua
Care for the land, care for the people, go forward
One of the easiest things we can do is to
Go forth and garden
