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From Seed to Plate: The Journey of Our Kai
From Seed to Plate: The Journey of Our Kai
"Ko te kai a te rangatira he kōrero, ko te tohu o te rangatira he manaakitanga."
(The food of chiefs is dialogue, the sign of a chief is hospitality.)
Our Maara is the beginning of a circular journey. We don't just grow vegetables; we grow a system that feeds our whānau with pride.
The Four Stages of Our System
Te Kākano (The Seed): We start in the soil. Whānau and volunteers learn to propagate seeds, manage compost, and understand the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar).
Te Whakatupu (The Growth): Our teams maintain the garden. This is where we teach sustainable, spray-free gardening and the importance of biodiversity.
Te Haumako (The Harvest): Once ready, the kai is harvested. Some goes directly into our Pātaka Kai Parcels, ensuring fresh, nutrient-dense greens for our community.
Te Kihini (The Plate): The rest of the harvest goes to our kitchen. Here, we teach whānau how to turn "garden surplus" into delicious, healthy meals.
Mai i te kakano
Mai i te kakano
From the seed
Ki te tipu
Ki te tipu
to pricking out
Ki te whakatō
Ki te whakatō
to planting
Ki te hauhake
Ki te hauhake
to harvesting
Kātahi tohatoha
Kātahi tohatoha
Kai from maara back in to the Pataka kai parcels
Ki te hapori
Ki te hapori
Free seedlings readily available to our community
Seedlings for the Community
Seedlings for the Community
Throughout the year, our Maara team raises "seedlings"—young, healthy seedlings—specifically to be given away to the community for free. These are often included in our Pātaka Kai parcels or available for pick-up at the Whare Kākahu.
Why we do it: To break down the barriers to home gardening (like the cost of plants) and to encourage food sovereignty.
What we provide: Seasonal favorites like silverbeet, tomatoes, rīwai (potatoes), and kamokamo, ready to be tucked into your soil.
Since we provide the plants, we also provide the knowledge to help them thrive.
We are in the planning phase of some workshops that will be open to the community- so keep tuned! but they could look like this;
Workshop: "My First Garden" – A beginner-friendly session where you take home a tray of our free seedlings and learn exactly how to plant, water, and care for them.
Workshop: "Saving Seeds" – Learn how to let your plants go to seed so you can grow your own "seedlings" next year and share them, just like we do!
"Backyard Bounty": A workshop on how to start a productive vegetable patch even in a small space or using containers.
"Compost & Clay": Learn the art of soil health—turning kitchen waste into "black gold" for the garden.
"Seasonal Preserving": When the Maara gives us more than we can eat, we teach you how to pickle, jam, and dehydrate so nothing goes to waste.
"Maara to Slow-Cooker": A combined garden and kitchen workshop where we harvest ingredients and immediately learn a budget-friendly slow-cooker recipe.
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