Feed from the Ma¯ori garden
A new book about growing kai guides beginners and experienced gardeners through establishing a contemporary ma¯ra (garden) and offers information about the seasons in the Maramataka Ma¯ori calendar.
Establishing Ma¯ra Kai: A Resource Kit for the Establishment and Management of Ma¯ra Kai Aligned to Marae and Communities is the latest in a series of books published by Tahuri Whenua, the National Ma¯ori Vegetable Growers Collective, about traditional and contemporary ma¯ra kai practices.
Written by Dr Nick Roskruge (Te Atiawa, Nga¯ti Tama), the book includes a Ma¯ori calendar, which begins after the first new moon following the appearance of Matariki to guide the best times for planting and fishing.
‘‘Like it or not, there were some positives coming out of Covid, and one of them was putting your eyes on the food we eat and where it comes from. After lockdown, most nurseries growing fruit trees couldn’t supply the demand,’’ Roskruge told the Sunday Star-Times.
‘‘I want to help educate people to make the information available. There are no books out there like this that come from a Ma¯ori perspective.’’
The Massey University professor and chairman of Tahuri Whenua runs workshops promoting ma¯ra kai, providing seeds and support.
Roskruge said ma¯ra kai could feed the whole wha¯nau for a small outlay. Growers could also determine what goes into their garden – giving them control over what goes into their bodies.
‘‘That’s food security, food sovereignty. For me, it’s about independence – so marae can be
independent to supply their own hui and tangi, and so wha¯nau have the ability to contribute without incurring huge costs.
‘‘They can make their own choices when they do it themselves.’’
Through the Tahuri Whenua Trust, Te Puni Ko¯kiri is supporting 20 ma¯ra kai initiatives from Taumarunui down to Levin, and provides another eight groups with seeds and technical expertise. Among the groups are ko¯hanga reo, kura kaupapa, marae, schools, land trusts, and community groups.
‘‘Here in Whanganui, we have a marae that has transformed its neatly mowed lawns into ma¯ra kai,’’ said Te Puni Ko¯kiri regional advisor Cedric Nepia. ‘‘We are really pleased with the ma¯ra kai project. It’s got the whole community motivated. Many wha¯nau are no longer going to the supermarkets, they are eating fresh and healthy kai. School lunch programmes are also benefiting from kai from the gardens.’’