Growing Together: Whānau Gardens for Self-Sufficiency & Healthy Kai
This spring, Te Hono O Ngā Waka had the privilege of distributing ready-to-plant gardens to local whānau, encouraging them to dig into the dirt alongside their tamariki. Thanks to Te Rau Ora’s generous funding, each garden kit was designed to support our community’s journey toward self-sufficiency and healthy kai, with a particular focus on engaging the younger generation in the joys and responsibilities of growing their own food.
The initiative has already been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback! Whānau have shared photos and kind words, showing how much the tamariki are enjoying their gardening experience. The sight of kids getting their hands in the soil, tending to their plants, and watching their hard work grow has been a highlight for many families. It’s inspiring to see tamariki so invested in nurturing their gardens and learning hands-on about kai sustainability.
One unexpected challenge we faced was the relentless spring rain. However, our kits came equipped with protective lids, a detail that turned out to be a blessing for keeping our young plants safe from being waterlogged. This simple addition has allowed families to plant and grow with confidence, rain or shine!
The journey back to self-sufficiency and healthier, homegrown kai is more than just a practical endeavor. It’s a pathway for whānau to reconnect with our kōrero and ancestral practices, reawakening the skills and knowledge that sustained our tūpuna. By taking these first steps toward growing our own kai, we’re not only cultivating our gardens but also sowing seeds of resilience and well-being within our community.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Te Rau Ora for supporting us in this endeavor. Their funding has made it possible to take these ideas off the page and into the soil, where they can grow strong roots in our community. We’re excited to see how this initiative will continue to flourish and evolve, empowering more whānau to grow, share, and sustain their own healthy kai.