Kai is about more than the food we eat. It connects us to our whānau, our whenua, our whakapapa and the knowledge passed down through generations.
We travelled across Aotearoa to hear from everyday whānau about what kai means to them and how it shapes their everyday lives.
Through five short kiriata, whānau share their experiences of growing, gathering, preparing and sharing kai. Each story offers a different perspective, reminding us there is no single way to nourish our whānau.
‘For me, I see the hands of a mother.’
Whanaungatanga, wellbeing, strength of community.
Jasmine is a midwife and a mother to five children who sees wellbeing as deeply connected to our relationships with whānau, community, and the natural world.
For Jasmine, he kai kei aku ringa reflects the nurturing hands of Papatūānuku and the strength we find in caring for others. Jasmine draws on her own experiences as a mother and shares the importance of building supportive relationships, finding her voice, and advocating for herself and her tamariki.
Her story reminds us that nourishment comes not only from kai, but also from the people and connections that sustain us.
“The value and importance of knowing what good kai does for you physically has been such a core value.”
Balancing whānau, sport and everyday life.
Tiana and her husband are dedicated athletes and parents who understand the importance of good nutrition for both performance and whānau wellbeing.
With busy schedules and a young daughter to take care of, finding balance means valuing good kai, planning, stretching what’s already in the cupboard, and always starting the day with a good breakfast.
For Tiana, he kai kei aku ringa is about having the courage to make the most of the knowledge, skills and opportunities available to us. Her story highlights how lessons passed down through whānau can guide us in sport, parenting, and everyday life.
‘Sometimes a packet of noodles for lunch is gonna be the one.’
Resilience, finding strength and new beginnings.
Te Ara Hou is a single mother of three who has moved with her whānau from a difficult environment in Porirua to a new start in Gisborne. She is a newly enrolled student at Toihoukura, a Māori visual arts school.
Building a new life while raising tamariki and studying brings both challenges and opportunities. A supportive wider community has made a huge difference in their lives and Te Ara Hou has found new ways to care for her whānau and herself.
For Te Ara Hou, he kai kei aku ringa is a calling of encouragement to keep learning, reaching out and building new skills to provide for her tamariki.
Her story celebrates resilience, the importance of community, and taking each day one at a time.
In an urban system, we need to think differently about māra kai.
Reimagining how we grow and share food in an urban setting.
Alex, a social entrepreneur by nature, has lived in West Auckland for the last 20 years. Like many whānau living in urban communities, he navigates the demands of work, family life, and maintaining cultural connections.
For Alex, he kai kei aku ringa brings to mind the tradition of hākari and the importance of providing kai for others as an expression of manaakitanga.
Alex discusses how new approaches, such as vertical, indoor or micro gardens, could help reconnect whānau with food production despite the pressure of modern life.
Alex’s story invites us to consider how innovation and traditional knowledge can work together.
“I pakeke au i roto i te māra.”
Growing kai and passing on knowledge.
Ebony has been planting and harvesting kūmara in the small town of Te Teko her whole life. Growing kai, from start to finish, has been passed down through her whānau for generations.
For Ebony, he kai kei aku ringa is about having the knowledge and skills to draw sustenance from the whenua, and the responsibility to pass that knowledge on.
Through growing, gathering, hunting, and harvesting, she is helping to ensure that her tamariki remain connected to their whenua, their whakapapa, and the practices of their tūpuna.
Ebony’s story celebrates the enduring value of mātauranga Māori and the importance of keeping these traditions alive for future generations.
Every whānau has their own relationship with kai, shaped by their experiences, knowledge, whakapapa and connections to whenua.
Together, these stories celebrate the many ways Māori whānau draw on their knowledge, relationships and resourcefulness to nourish themselves and future generations.
