When Rob moved to Bupa’s Hugh Green Retirement Village in Auckland six years ago, he had no idea he’d end up growing bananas - and a thriving community along with them.
A lifelong businessman, Rob initially helped a fellow resident with the garden as a way to keep busy. That small gesture quickly blossomed into something much bigger.
“I had always worked and owned my own businesses, so at first all I wanted was something to keep myself busy,” says Rob.
“So the neighbour and I started with six garden beds from Bupa. Now we’ve got 20 raised beds, banana trees, mountain pawpaws, strawberries, tomatoes, you name it, we pretty much grow it.”
What began as a casual weekend hobby has transformed into a zero-waste, community-powered initiative that feeds residents, builds friendships, and keeps minds and hands busy.
The lush garden now supplies produce for a popular Tuesday stall held at morning tea. “It’s very popular and a great way to catch up with all the neighbours,” says Rob. “We also load up trolleys with produce, and these are taken round to those who can’t make it to the stall in person.”
Produce is sold for just $1 or $2 a bag, making it affordable and accessible for everyone. Surplus produce is shared with staff, and anything left over is transformed into homemade soups - venison, leek and potato, chicken, pumpkin, tomato - all portioned into single-serve sachets and frozen. “It’s perfect for people living alone,” Rob says. “They can just heat it up in a mug.”
And while the harvest is impressive, the way it’s managed is equally inspiring. “It’s completely self-funded,” says Rob. “We used to have to do a whip-around to buy seeds and compost. Now we cover everything through sales. We’ve added over 700 bags of compost to the garden because there was no soil here when we started.”
Rob is quick to point out that the garden wouldn’t thrive without the dedicated support of six fellow residents who help keep everything running smoothly. “I couldn’t do it without them - it would be impossible,” he says.
From weeding and watering to prepping produce for sale, they play an invaluable role in the day-to-day care of the garden. “Everyone’s got their part, and they’re just fantastic.”
Drawing on his business background, Rob runs the operation like a mini-enterprise. “I keep the receipts, one of the ladies holds the key to the money box, and everything’s accounted for. We know exactly where we’re at.”
That entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a commitment to sustainability, drives everything from composting kitchen scraps to feeding banana trees via an improvised planter box system. “We couldn’t grow them in a circle, so I set up three boxes and used the centre one for compost. Now they’re producing proper fruit, and we’ve got four more bunches coming this year,” says Rob.
Rob is passionate about what the garden means to village life.
“There’s a team spirit here. You’ve got people weeding, planting, bagging produce, helping with soup. Everyone’s got a role, and it gives people something to look forward to.”
There have also been some unexpected benefits. “Gardening, something I knew nothing about before I started, has been good for my wellbeing and mental health. I reckon it keeps the old grey cells awake and firing, and it gets me fit too.”
Outside the garden, keeping busy and active remains a top priority for Rob and his wife. The couple enjoy various village activities, from bingo to line dancing and Pilates. “It’s not about sitting back,” Rob says. “It’s about doing what you love, with people who get it.”
His story is living proof that life at a Bupa retirement village isn’t about limitations - it’s about freedom. The freedom to keep learning, growing, and doing the things that bring purpose and joy.
“I never expected to be growing bananas at this stage of life,” Rob says. “But I’m glad I am.”
