TE KAHUI O TARANAKI IWI

Te Kāhui o Taranaki responded to the needs of their uri (descendants) and launched their six monthly online programme in 2021 to re-learn to grow affordable and nutritional food. 
 
“The popular Tātai Tāngata ki te Whenua maara kai programme was launched in the moon phase of Māwharu,” said Pou Rautaki Rawinia Leatherby-Toia. 80 uri registered for the programme.
 
“Tātai Tāngata ki te Whenua is delivered by maara expert and Taranaki Iwi uri Pounamu Skelton through fortnightly online hui. Online hui covered knowledge about indigenous food production systems, re- learning about maramataka Māori and teaching how to save quality heritage seed," Rawinia said.
 
“Through this programme, uri were able to grow, share and place healthy kai in their homes and share in their communities. Manaakitanga is important to Taranaki Iwi.”

Funding from Toi Foundation enabled Taranaki Iwi Trust to establish programmes like the vegetable growing programme and hip hop classes.
 
“We asked uri how we could support them. They told us they wanted to be physically healthy and to grow fresh vegetables,” Tania Stokes, Pou Putea, said. 
 
“An idea from our young people was supporting and establishing the popular Extreme Hip Hop Step Aerobic classes and training uri to become instructors. Aerobic steps and sound systems were purchased for weekly classes around our mounga,” Tania said.

"Taranaki Iwi are willing to try new programmes and come together to have fun."