Maihinga Kai projects

Mission

To strengthen communities in Tai Tokerau through Mahinga kai, māra kai education, fostering self-reliance, sustainability, and cultural revitalization while promoting food sovereignty.  

Kaitiaki Māra Kai: Backyard Gardens

Wai Atua Charitable Trust’s Kaitiaki Māra Kai: Backyard Garden is a flagship initiative empowering community in Tai Tokerau to cultivate gardens that enhance food sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and cultural connection. 

We will be at this year's 2025 Te Ara Māra Kai o Tai Tokerau event, Open day on the 8th Feb and workshops on 12th Feb. This event will showcase its transformative impact through interactive workshops, practical demonstrations, and inspiring stories of resilience.  See the following link for more information on location and timings, Northland Edible Garden Trail 

Over 2025 we have designed events to celebrate Mahinga kai, māra kai, and provide hands-on knowledge to enable whānau (families) to establish and maintain their own backyard gardens.

Key Events for 2025

1. Workshops and Demonstrations:

• Composting Systems: Learn how to create and maintain compost to enrich soil health.
• Seedling Propagation: Hands-on sessions on growing strong seedlings from heirloom seeds.
• Māramataka Māori: Workshops on aligning gardening practices with lunar cycles.
• Companion Planting: Demonstrating how to grow plants together for natural pest       control and optimal growth.

2. Cultural Connection: 12 April 2025, 11am

• Integration of Māori gardening practices and Hua Parakore principles such as whakapapa, wairua, mauri, māramatanga, mana, and Te Ao Tūroa.
• Whānau-friendly activities to reconnect participants with the whenua and mātauranga Māori.

3. Skill Development Opportunities:

• Interactive sessions tailored to all ages, from beginners to experienced gardeners.
• Resources provided for participants to start their own backyard gardens, including       seedlings and instructional guides.

4. Community Building: 5th July 2025, 10am

• Sharing knowledge and fostering relationships among participants to build a       resilient network of māra kai practitioners in Tai Tokerau.
• Open discussions on addressing resource shortages and leveraging local       collaboration for sustainable food systems.

Objectives for 2025

• Empowerment: Equip whānau with the skills and knowledge to establish self-sufficient backyard gardens.
• Sustainability: Promote sustainable gardening practices that align with environmental regeneration and Hua Parakore principles.
• Resilience: Build community resilience through food sovereignty and local food systems.
• Cultural Revitalization: Reinforce traditional Māori gardening practices and values for      intergenerational learning and connection.