The ceremony took place at 7am on a cool Wellington morning and was attended by about 100 people.

The space for te mara (the garden) was gifted to guests of the Soup Kitchen by the Sisters of Compassion.

Speakers included the mayor of Wellington Justin Lester, representatives of the Tangata Whenua, the Sisters of Compassion and those who set the garden up.

The final two speakers were representative of the whanau (guests) who gather at the soup kitchen each day for food and companionship.

Matt Petrie, a social worker at the Soup Kitchen and kaiarahi (leader) of the garden project, thanked the many people who had contributed to setting up the garden.

Te mara was given the name Tupaea in honour of the memory of Ngati Tupaea, the hapu who lived near what is now Courtenay Place before Europeans arrived in Wellington.

It is hoped Tupaea will be an oasis away from the streets, yet in central Wellington, growing kai that the Sisters, whanau, staff, volunteers and anyone from the wider community who contribute can all share.

Petrie said te mara is about giving a sense of pride.

It is a central part of He Rakau Koikoi, a programme of purposeful activities that help whanau improve their wellbeing and which allows them to look with hope to the future.

By working in the garden, whanau learn new skills, practice old skills, have fun and enjoy being with other people.

"For many people who come here, they experience poor mental health, loneliness, isolation, depression, anxiety and low mood but by working on the garden some of those feelings start being removed," Petrie said.

"They have more control back in their lives and can face the world more positively. They start to look forward and have improved self-esteem and confidence. It's a great outcome."

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She is now one of 10 finalists for the overall prize of New Zealand's top gardener. This is decided by public vote.

"As far as I am concerned any prizes would go to the garden and to help others start their own gardens at home. If we do make it we could have garden set-up kits for all those who join Bridget's gardening classes and garden set-up programme," says Sister Rosemary.

Guests were last year introduced to the garden by its coordinator, Robert Te Whare, and since that time Robert has driven a vanload of people from the soup kitchen to the garden every Monday. They often return with regular harvests of fresh vegetables for the evening meal.