Ko te mea nui, ko te aroha

we do all of this with aroha.

 As the Christmas spirit jiggles in our ears, this last month has reminded us at Kore Hiakai to never underestimate the ability of communities to come together, be there for each other, to celebrate, act and care!

In late November Kore Hiakai had the joy of taking our Mana to Mana workshop to Tauranga. We arrived amidst Police, fire and ambulance sirens going off and people gathered out on the street. We wondered what was going on and whether we should lock ourselves inside. But a quick chat with our neighbours revealed that this was the annual Tauranga food drive. The emergency services were collecting across neighbourhoods in Tauranga – filling ambulances, fire trucks and police cars, gathering six months’ worth of kai for Tauranga Foodbank and others. What an incredible community!

What a privilege to offer our Mana to Mana workshop to a beautiful group of humans in Tauranga. Fabulous people doing incredible things across that region. There was a powerful moment when those in the workshop acknowledged that we do what we do from a place of aroha.

Aro – ha means to turn and face another and to share breathe – to be present to each other – to see each other – really see each other without judgement. When we are in proximity to each other, close enough to share breathe, we are vulnerable. In that place of vulnerability, we receive as much as we give.

This is aroha.   

“AROHA – ‘ko te aro ki te ha o te tangata’ to align oneself to the life breath of another, to be fully present without judgement, power over, or personal agenda.” We do not need to always be physically with someone to be present to them. We can also do that from a distance, via a phone call, a message, an email, a gesture.

Ko te mea nui, ko te aroha – we do all of this with aroha.

When Kore Hiakai look out across Aotearoa and see all the incredible ways people are working in their communities, being deeply present with each other, holding each other, offering aroha – it is humbly. What incredible heart we have. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for the way you engage with us, share your wisdom, your amazing initiatives and stories. Thank you for being a part of this movement to care for each other and to create a food secure Aotearoa.

As December rolls out, we hope there is some sparkle and joy sprinkled amongst the mahi, and much aroha!

mana to mana practice framework workshop tauranga

It was wonderful to take our Mana to Mana practice framework workshop to Tauranga in the last week of November. We are planning another one in Wellington late February 2024. If you would like one in your region later in 2024, please reach out - tric@korehiakai.org.nz Below are some photos and comments from the workshop.

“Completely exceeded my expectations.” “I would like to do this again there is so much in it and it is so good.”

“My highlight was gaining a deeper understanding of the word mana.” “There’s a lot to digest from this workshop.”

“It has got me thinking how to incorporate it into my mahi.” “Totally value for money!”

“I hope to see you all again one day.” “Big thank you!”

community food

Tauranga foodbank - While we were in Tauranga we had the privilege of visiting the Tauranga Foodbank and see how their mahi put mana at the centre of their practice – the mana of the people and the mana of the kai they distribute. Amazing mahi.

Check out the local article on Tauranga Foodbank an dWestern Bay of Plenty Kai Resilience Network

western bay of plenty kai resilience network – we were blessed to spend time with Amy Board, co-ordinator of the Western Bay of Plenty Kai Resilience Network and champion of seeds in this beautiful community allotment garden at the base of Mauao, Mt Manganui, to chat about how this region is beginning to implement their kai strategy.

aotearoa food parcel measure - In mid November we had the last hui of the year of those who contribute to the Aotearoa Food Parcel Measure. After a pretty static September and October, those distributing community food are seeing a steady increase throughout the month of November and are expecting December to be the biggest month for food assistance distribution in 2023. There are more whānau seeking assistance who never have before. We are seeing more elderly and more double income families, and parents who are working two or three jobs to make ends meet.

Hope is seen in the way whānau are keen to contribute, by volunteering or a small koha. Hope is seen in the way many whānau show their skills at budgeting, sharing and making a little seem a lot. Hope is seen in the way many of our organisations are finding innovative ways to create community kai through pop up co-ops, garden set-up packs, foraging workshops and cooking classes.

Another two organisations have signed up, bringing their data onboard in the New Year. This takes us to a total of 76 foodbank sites across Aotearoa contributing (just short of our year goal of 100). Our ability to collate our data and speak to government, media and the wider community is one way we powerfully work together to create change. Thank you for all who have diligently collected their data and contributed to our combined voice in this way. If your organisation would like to contribute your data to our dashboard, please just get in touch - tric@korehiakai.org.nz https://www.zerohunger.org.nz/food-parcel-measure-dashboard

mangere budgeting services - congratulations on moving back to the heart of Mangere!! After a few years of being in another building, it is fantastic to see this amazing service re-centering themselves in the midst of their people! https://www.mbst.org.nz/news/mangere-budgeting-services-has-made-a-triumphant-return-to-mangere

zucchi leonard - christchurch city mission after 5 amazing years at Christchurch City Mission as the Social Services Manager, as well as serving on the Strategic Leadership of Kore Hiakai from 2019 - 2022, Zucchi Leonard is finishing her role and moving to sunnier climes. Zucchi helped co-ordinate the cross-agency response to food assistance in Canterbury throughout the pandemic, spearheaded the incredible building project at Christchurch City Mission that includes a phenomenal transitional housing space, cafe and space for the foodbank storage as well as the self-serve foodbank / social supermarket. Zucchi can make anything happen, is a champion of community food and does it with such style and care. It has been been a privilege to have journeyed with Zucchi. You will be missed from the Christchurch community food space. We wish you every joy as you create your new life in a new part of Aotearoa.

Systems change

PROOF Canada, an interdisciplinary research program studying effective policy approaches to reduce household food insecurity, have released their latest report here. Canada has similar levels of food insecurity to Aotearoa, with around 1 in 5 households struggling to put kai on the table, with ethnic minorities and women in single parent households most impacted. The report has a wealth of insights, including noting that food insecurity leads to poor health outcomes and results in much higher public health costs.

te tira ārai urutā - NZ royal commission - COVID 19 lessons learned

Kore Hiakai was one of many groups invited to make an early submission on this inquiry. (our report here) While it is important to point out those who were disadvantaged and to advocate how future responses to similar events could be different, it also important to highlight what worked, where pathways were created and how government prioritised wellbeing. We encourage you to add your voice to this inquiry. ://www.covid19lessons.royalcommission.nz/

ka mākona

Mid November Kore Hiakai released our 2023 Ka Mākona report on Income adequacy and cost of living. This year’s report added a couple of new regions to our spotlight. We also added some population data, including median wage information. While it is a sobering report it continues to help shine a light for our lower income whānau and gives an opportunity to work together to make a difference.

He kai kei aku ringa

If you need a little inspiration, joy and hope I would recommend this series of short films https://hekai.co.nz/short-film/

Thank you for all you have done this year with us, with your communities, in collaboration with others, in solidarity with others and in your little corner in order to grow a little aroha,

so that Aotearoa New Zealand might be a place where all are food secure and can thrive.

 Ko te mea nui, ko te aroha – we do all of this with aroha.