Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.

Although it is small, it is precious.

On most week days the Kore Hiakai kaimahi gather for morning karakia at 9.30am. This is a special time for our mahi whānau – assembling for the ascent of each new day, because it’s a time to pause, share, and be present as our whole selves with each other (and sometimes with manuhiri too). A small, purposeful, act with big intent.

While the essence of karakia differs in each context, when Kore Hiakai gather for morning karakia, this is a container of our collective mindfulness; a vessel of purposeful practice. It is not so much about what we do but the way in which we intentionally do it.

Moving beyond a crisis response to the COVID pandemic, we are reminded even the smallest acts done together are precious. After living through an era of prolonged isolation, now more than ever it is important that we reground and regroup, standing together in what is good and true for a food secure Aotearoa.

maramataka calendar

Maramataka is the Māori lunar calendar used to guide planting, harvesting, fishing, hunting and gathering. Under the influence of te marama (the moon), maramataka marks the passage of time throughout the year in Aotearoa and helps us regulate our seasons.

Useful today as we search for solutions that care for our lands and people, Te Maramataka helps us to plan, and gives wisdom on what people and communities can do to live more sustainably and in harmony with the natural environment, seasons and te marama. It invites us to embed ancient Māori mātauranga (knowledge) into our living practices by learning the phases of the moon and what is favourable for planting, harvesting food and fishing.

As we stoke our fires to keep warm through takurua – our cold winter months, Hereturikōkā (July – August) is a time of preparation. Having released our hopes and dreams during Matariki under the star of Hiwa i te Rangi, Te Maramataka signals for us to sprout potatoes so they are ready for the ground during spring, and to tend and feed our soils by adding layers of compost to constitute carbon and nitrogen essential for plant growth – and much more.

Just as the moon will always sway the tides, using its phases to understand nature is still relevant and common practice today – and so Te Maramataka still plays an important part in our communities.

grocery code of conduct submissions

As a follow up from the Commerce Commission recommendations into the grocery sector, the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki (MBIE) are developing a Grocery Code of Conduct and are asking for submissions and feedback. Please follow this link to offer your insights. The process for making a submission is outlined this link.

opmcsa food waste series

The OPMCSA food waste series, ‘Food waste: A global and local problem’, has been released this month.

“While the most obvious impact of food waste is food taking up space in landfills and releasing greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming, it’s essential to take a whole-of-life view to truly understand the impacts of food waste. When food goes to waste, all the resources expended throughout the food supply chain are also wasted, including the labour, energy, productive land, and water required to produce, process, distribute, market, and prepare it. We also need to think of wasted food as a missed opportunity to nourish people, and recognise it as an economic cost to consumers and businesses…” read more here.

webinars returning

We are happy to announce we are planning to recommence our online Just Kai? Webinars soon! Watch this space for upcoming details on how to register and join. Possible topics include: Food Security – beyond the food parcel, More Choice – social supermarkets, Free stores, Co-ops, Nutritional Sovereignty – what makes a good food parcel?

Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Email us feedback if so:  korehiakai@nzccss.org.nz

updated guidelines

If you haven’t already sighted MSDs Food Secure Communities updated safe operations guidelines, ‘COVID-19 Protection Framework’, with Orange Light sector guidance for community food services, you can access the updated link here.

community food organisations map

We are currently updating the community food organisation map on our website region by region.

Please take the time to look at your entry on our map and send us any updates or corrections, or use the form linked to our page to create any additions.

Alternatively contact sophie.korehiakai@nzccss.org.nz with your updates.

champion blog – the sowing machine

If you missed our latest champion blog you can catch up here.

 There is more than one way to cook a potato – and there is more than one way to create a food resilient community.  With the hurt of rising food prices and growing need for those requiring food assistance, impacting on overall community wellness, there are many champions throughout Aotearoa looking for innovative ways to strengthen their rohe… read more.

think links

We often come across thought-provoking local and international news, and we’d like to regularly share these insightful good reads. This month:  Scotland’s Good Food Nation Bill

Scotland passed its ‘Good Food Nation Bill’, which aims to improve the Scottish food systems at both national and local levels through publishing and reporting on Good Food Plans every five years. Scotland defines a Good Food Nation as:

• It is the norm for people to take a “keen interest” in food and know what constitutes good food;

• People who serve and sell food are committed to serving and selling good food;

• Everyone has ready access to healthy, nutritious food;

• Dietary-related diseases are in decline, as is the environmental impact of food consumption;

• Producers ensure that what they produce is increasingly healthy and environmentally sound.

Great acts are often made up of small deeds. Kore Hiakai remain inspired by all the initiatives and innovations throughout Aotearoa, adapted to local circumstances, with sustainable practices for the economy and environment. We appreciate all who keep taking the steps towards a food secure and sovereign Aotearoa, where there is abundance for all.

Nga mihi nui,

The Kore Hiakai team