Maara Kai
Maara Kai encompasses food gardens and orchards. 
Growing food has always been a traditional practise of Maori in Taranaki, with great fertile soils, plenty of sunshine and rainfall, our traditional food baskets were abundant with a variety of Kai.
With the resurgence in regaining traditional knowledge within Taranaki, the desire for whanau to grow their own Kai on Marae, Kura, kohanga reo or in the community is on the rise.
The Kaupapa is "Tino Rangatiratanga o nga Hua Maori " ........to support and encourage whanau on to their land to grow pure healthy Kai for social, economic and wellbeing of the people and resource.
There is nothing more satisfying that growing your own pure Kai and sharing (ta koha) to your kaumatua says Project Coordinator Pounamu Skelton.
Over the next few months there will be different events held across Taranaki celebrating the season of Puanga or the Maori New Year. This is a significant time when the star Puanga rises and is visble in our night skies. Traditionally our tipuna gathered together to enjoy hakari or a feast celebrating the abundance of Kai harvested from their Mahinga Kai. This encompassed all foods from the baskets of Tangaroa, Ngahere and Maara.
Puanga was also a time to remember those that had passed on, as well as a time to plan for your next growing season. It seems appropriate that we continue to celebrate the natural cycles and to uplift the learnings and wisdoms that our tipuna have left us with.
For more information or to participate please contact Pounamu Skelton at pounamu@hivetaranaki.co.nz or phone 06 7696 008 or 021 373 519.