He kanohi kitea, he ringa hei awhi.

A face that is seen, a hand to be held.

Kore Hiakai often reflect on our whakapapa and the connections made through our shared kaupapa and purpose. From our roots to relationships, we immerse ourselves in a common collective cause, that being to collaboratively create pathways towards a food secure and sovereign Aotearoa. This is our Ūkaipotanga - our roots.

As we move into the second quarter of this year, we begin to reconnect across the motu, building a strong sense of whanaungatanga. Whanaungatanga speaks to our values of inclusiveness, of networks and connections, and of folding in the collective/tātou as well as the individual/takitahi.

May you to continue to feel grounded, while nurturing relationships and connectedness, as we each strive in our unified strength for an abundant Aotearoa.

He Whenua Rongo

There is a national ‘Māori Kai Sovereignty and Soil’ wānanga coming up, 11th and 12th May 2022, with a call for all to come together and learn about kai and soil resiliency, and what it means to practice ‘Hua Para Kore’ – organic principals grounded in tikanga Māori.

Building Māori kai and soil resilient communities through knowledge - He Whenua Rongo, is a research project on Māori food systems including aspects of resilience, sustainability and kaupapa Māori approaches to soil and kai stewardship.

The rangahau involves:

• a workshop for kāwanatanga agencies to better understand and support Māori kai and soil resilience aspirations and to support better cohesion between agencies;

• 20 key informant interviews with mātanga Māori regarding Māori kai and soil stewardship and resilience;

• providing insights into approaches to Māori food resilience and sustainability;

• identifying barriers, enablers and potential pathways to activate Māori food resilience and sustainability, including potential actions by a range of food system participants (e.g. Hapū, Iwi, Rangatahi, Māori agribusiness, central and local government).

He Whenua Rongo is an open wānanga, where a diverse range of kai producers will be heard, while exploring the future of sustainable practices inspired by our tupuna.

To register and participate online, follow this link: https://www.tewakakaiora.co.nz/he-whenua-rongo/

Eat New Zealand Hui

Eat New Zealand recently hosted their 8th annual gathering over a two-day hybrid forum, bringing together sector and keynote presenters to speak on the resilience of small and diverse solutions across all aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s food system.

Celebrating kai sovereignty and home-grown grains – particularly our grain farmers, millers, bakers and eaters, this hui launched the Manaaki loaf of bread, honouring the mana of all those who are part of its creation. Read more here.

Michelin-starred chef Dan Barber also chimed in to present, saying indigenous cultures play a pivotal role to the future of food. “The wisdom of indigenous food cultures is holistic. It’s about taking from the land in a way that replenishes the land, and that is the root of all indigenous thinking about culture and agriculture.” Read more here.

MSD Funding Announcement

The Minister for Social Development and Employment – Hon Carmel Sepuloni, announced a further $58.1 million funding for ongoing ‘Care in the Community’ (CiC) support. The funding will support an updated CiC response in line with reducing COVID-19 cases around the motu and less households needing support to safely self-isolate. More about this announcement here.

CPAG Post Budget Breakfast 2022

To hear analysis of government's Budget through a child-focused lens, join the online forum on Friday 20 May 2022, 7.30-9am, hosted by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). Registration is free but required here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1052426472294901?ref=newsfeed

Pātaka Social Supermarket in Kaitaia

Click on this link to check out the great venture between local iwi and Foodstuffs, building new relationships and innovative ways to create better access to kai for whānau.

Healthy Families Kai Insights

A new impact report released by Healthy Families has highlighted the call for community-driven solutions and a reorientation of our food system in order to improve wellbeing and address food insecurity. The report endorses regenerative and resilient approaches that prioritise locally grown and affordable kai, upholding indigenous kai sources by honouring traditional methodologies.

The report says, “Our communities have the solutions to the food insecurity they are experiencing. Local movements are clearly linked to innovative outcomes and changes in the food system. Right now, we need advocates, influencers and decision makers to contribute their expertise and leverage to create long-term change. Working together, we will see fast-paced and radical transformation of the food system in Aotearoa New Zealand...” Read the full report here.

Fairer future collaborators research

Following the initial release of their liveable income discussion paper at the end of March, the Fairer Future collaborators have released a full version of their research, which compares the Welfare Expert Advisory Group’s (WEAG) family cost estimates inflation-adjustments for 2022 against benefit increases that kicked in during April. “This research indicates income inadequacy will still be severe and widespread among benefit recipients, even after the April 2022 benefit increases come into effect.” Read their latest research release here.

Releasing a ‘seven step action plan’ outlining key changes needed to our welfare system for those on low-incomes to live with dignity, stay healthy, and to participate in community life, they say “the sharp increase in food prices is putting extra pressure on low-income families who are already struggling, making it almost impossible to make healthy choices and offer the best possible start for their children.”

The Fairer Future collaborators are calling on government to improve our welfare system and support liveable incomes to ensure every whānau can afford healthy food.

Volunteering feedback      

Your feedback is needed and still wanted! Volunteering New Zealand launched its ‘Volunteering in Aotearoa 2022’ surveys and would appreciate your shared insights. There are two surveys – one for Community Organisations, and one for Volunteers. You can find both surveys here.

 Mā te wā e hoa

Waiho I te toipoto kaua I te toiroa.

Let us keep close together not wide apart.

As summer fades and autumn arrives, here at Kore Hiakai we begin a new season as Wayne Paaka, our Pou Māori at Kore Hiakai, moves on with his sight set on new horizons. While we say our goodbyes, and support Wayne as he transitions into his new role, we take this opportunity to mihi him, and to champion all he has done in our space for Kai sovereignty. Full blog here.

Our mahi of whanaungatanga is a circle of strength. With every collaboration we grow; every success shared adds more joy; and by facing adversity together we make our circle stronger. We honour your ability to connect with others and invite you to reach out to create a stronger sense of whanaungatanga with another organisation – especially following this period of lengthy isolation. 

Thank you for being part of our network as we champion together all which grows a food secure Aotearoa.

Nga mihi,

The Kore Hiakai Team