Use te reo for healthy eating
It’s Ma¯ ori Language Week and the team at 5+ A Day are celebrating by promoting the importance of eating fresh fruit and vegetables for well-being — nga¯ huara¯ kau me nga¯ huawhenua mo te oranga — and encouraging the use of te reo Ma¯ ori at kai time.
The theme for Te Wiki o te Reo Ma¯ ori is Kia Kaha te Reo Ma¯ ori, offering encouragement to all New Zealanders to take part in activities to make the Ma¯ ori language strong, to take the opportunity to strengthen bodies and overall health as well as preserving and nurturing the Ma¯ ori language.
The Trust has developed new te reo posters promoting seasonal fruit and vegetables for better health and well-being — as well as encouraging the use of te reo. To teach the link between fruit and vegetables and wellbeing to tamariki at kura, ko¯ hanga reo and early childhood centres, 5+ A Day is sending out the new posters for display, and also sending ka¯ roti (carrot) and ko¯ kihi (spinach) seeds, donated by South Pacific Seeds New Zealand. The posters are also available to order free from www.5adayeducation.org.nz
Senior account manager at the 5+ A Day Charitable Trust, Stephanie Wrathall, says research shows when children are involved in growing vegetables, they are more likely to eat them.
“Growing produce also teaches children where their fruit and vegetables come from, so this is a great opportunity for local kura and ko¯ hanga reo to plant some ka¯ roti and ko¯ kihi and educate their tamariki to eat 5+ A Day for greater wellbeing.”
In addition to the posters and seeds, two recipes have been developed to have a go at cooking and enjoying healthy kai.
“We engaged Patrick Salmon, My Kitchen Rules 2018 contestant, to create two Ma¯ oriinspired recipes for Ma¯ ori Language Week. These recipes showcase delicious traditional flavours with a contemporary twist,” Stephanie says.
The fresh and hearty Huarekawhenua (pleasant dish of the earth) salad recipe highlights traditional produce like ku¯ mara, carrot and horopito, while Kairua (referring to the duality of sustenance and deliciousness of the dish) is an asparagus, ku¯ mara and potato gratin which features seasonal asparagus and kawakawa — a flavoursome herb historically favoured in Ma¯ ori medicine. More recipes are available at www.5aday.co.nz
As you’re heading to the supermarket, preparing dinner, or sitting down to enjoy a meal this week, take the time to discuss the Ma¯ ori terms for your fresh fruit and vegetables. Bring the philosophy of Kia Kaha to the table by combining te reo with eating five or more servings of colourful, fresh fruit and vegetables every day for health and well-being.