During the festive season, we see a huge spike in consumption and consequently, para (rubbish) filling up our landfills; from excess kai being thrown in the rubbish, wrapping paper, and decorations – it all adds up. 

Me whakaara ake tātou ki te taiao.

Five useful tips for having a Para Kore Kirihimete:

1. Gift experiences – go for a whānau bush walk, take the kids mini-golfing, visit your local beach or awa, or play hide and seek. Gifts don’t have to be material, and some of the best memories will come from time with your loved ones. 
2. Be of service – Clear out your parent’s gutters, stain the deck, do the dishes, wash your sister’s car, weed your nan’s garden, or pick up your brother’s tamariki and have them overnight. This won’t cost you or the taiao, but it will grow your connection with your whānau and friends and make you feel good at the same time.
3. Hei aha te moumou kai – Share excess kai with your neighbours/whānau, freeze food so it lasts longer, compost food scraps, feed the chooks and always eat the leftovers in the fridge before you start cooking or make another trip to the supermarket. 

Let’s keep kai out of the bin – because food in landfills creates global warming methane. Hei aha tēnā!

1. Feed the whānau – He taonga te kai, our kai is precious – gardeners, hunters and foragers know this well. Bake some goodies, cook dinner for your kaumātua, gift fruit trees, homemade relish, your favourite recipe or a rewana bug. These are the gifts that keep on giving.
2. Gift nothing at all – sit down and enjoy a meal with your whānau and friends. Plan ahead, and put the word out; no pressies this year, or buy one Secret Santa present. That Secret Santa gift could have guidelines – must be handmade, must be under $10 or must be second-hand. Slow down, do less, relax and enjoy the season. Rest is resistance after all!

Let our gifts be a koha, not a hōhā.