The Kawerau Urban Food Forest project launched on February 17 2017.

The project aims to establish a two-hectare forest of food-bearing trees and shrubs on Monika Lanham Reserve.

A community garden and nursery will also be established on a smaller site belonging to Kawerau Life Konnect. The council is donating compost, mulch and expert knowledge. Trees planted as part of the project will provide fruit year-round, including berries, nuts and herbs. There will also be fresh vegetables year-round for anyone in the community to use. The nursery will host workshops on seed gathering, sowing and other aspects of gardening.