Return to the Māra

Māra means garden in te reo Māori, this is our return to it. To the soil. To the seasons. To the wisdom our hands remember.

A Seasonal Garden Club Rooted in Soil, Spirit & Sovereignty

Return to the māra. Return to yourself.

Whether you’re just starting out or wanting to take your home garden to the next level, Return to the Māra is your invitation to step more fully into growing.

This six-month garden club is designed for backyard or small-scale growers who want to confidently grow healthy vegetables and beautiful cut flowers, while also learning how to work with the rhythms of nature.

You’ll be guided by Brit from Tomtit Farm, alongside a supportive community of growers, with monthly sessions, hands-on knowledge, and plenty of inspiration to get your hands in the soil and your garden growing.

Rooted in organic principles and living soil practices, you’ll gain the skills, seasonal understanding, and support to create a thriving, abundant garden that nourishes you, your soil, and your ecosystem.

November 2025 – May 2026 | Tomtit Farm, Matangi

Limited to 15 places

Return to the Māra - Waitlist Now Open

Our very first Return to the Māra group for the 2025-26 season has now sold out, we’re so excited for everyone joining us on this journey!

Due to high interest, we’ve opened a waitlist for a possible second group this season.

If we have enough people ready to join, we’ll confirm the dates and get in touch with details.

Whats included

Each month, we’ll gather at Tomtit Farm in Matangi to explore a key seasonal topic. You’ll get practical, hands-on learning and personalised support to help you apply what you learn in your own space - whether that’s a backyard garden, a lifestyle block, or a few raised beds.

Monthly in-person wānanga at Tomtit Farm (Matangi, Waikato)
Mentorship with Brit, organic grower, nutritionist, and soil-loving mama
Seeds + seedlings each season, ready for your home garden
Hands-on learning, including:
- Seed sowing & propagation
- Composting & soil health
- Space planning & seasonal rhythms
- Plant health, pest prevention & natural inputs
- Backyard biodiversity
- Seed saving & succession planting
- Growing in a way that supports long-term soil fertility
Reflective activities to embed your learning
Private support group to ask questions and get encouragement between sessions

Course Details

Return to the Māra runs from November to May, guiding you through the full growing season - from the first spring seedlings to the final autumn harvest. We’ll meet once a month at Tomtit Farm in Matangi, gathering as a small, intentional group of growers to ensure deep support, connection, and learning.

This is more than a course - it’s a season of transformation, and spaces are limited to protect the wairua of the group.

Investment in Your Māra Journey

The full 6-month programme includes:

7 monthly workshops at Tomtit Farm (Nov–May)
6 months of support in between, resources, guidance, and seasonal check-ins
Seedling packs to get your māra thriving

Total cost: $2,000

We know everyone’s circumstances are different, so there are flexible ways to pay:

Upfront: $2,000 (one payment secures your spot)
Monthly: $290 × 7 months
Fortnightly: $150 × 14 payments

Your first payment secures your place in the programme, with instalments starting from November.

This is For You If

You want to grow an abundant backyard garden that keeps on giving - not just feeding you, but feeding the soil, the insects, the birds, and the whole ecosystem
You’re ready to garden with confidence, knowing what to plant, when, and why
You want to thrive alongside Mother Nature
You crave a deeper connection to Papatūānuku through the simple, powerful act of growing
You want practical tools and knowledge to grow healthy, kai & flowers
You’re seeking a space of seasonal rhythm, support, and community
You’re ready to become a guardian of your garden and an abundant grower

Why Return to the Māra?

Because there’s power in coming back to the garden - not just as a space to grow food, but as a space to learn, observe, slow down, and reconnect with the cycles of the seasons.

At Tomtit Farm, we believe gardens should be built on living soil, biodiversity, and care - and we want to help you grow yours with intention and confidence.

Return to the Māra isn’t just about having more tomatoes or flowers this summer. It’s about building your skills, deepening your understanding of your space, and becoming the kind of grower who trusts the process - and enjoys it, too.

What You’ll Leave With

A thriving home garden
A toolkit of seasonal skills
Seeds saved from your own harvest
Confidence in your growing
An understanding of soil health and how to create your own abundance from it.
A deeper connection to Papatūānuku
A sisterhood of fellow growers
A sense of sovereignty, rooted in soil