Restoring relationships with kai through whakapapa and whenua

The Relationship We’re Rebuilding

He Mana tō te Kai is a journey back to the roots of our food systems, to a time when kai was grown, gathered, prepared, and shared with intention. Reconnection with kai means reconnecting with whenua, whakapapa, and our collective wellbeing. 

This programme supports whānau and communities to restore traditional food practices and shift everyday habits around food waste and consumption. Guided by whakapapa, māramatanga, kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga, we explore how kai can nourish not just our bodies, but our futures.

Small Acts with Big Impact

By taking part in this kaupapa, you’ll learn how to:

• See kai as a direct link to atua, whenua, and te taiao
• Understand what traditional Māori food systems looked like — and what changed
• Reduce food waste in your whare or workplace
• Source kai locally and with sustainability in mind
• Turn reflection into action through collective planning and manaakitanga

Why Kai is a Portal to Transformation

• Aotearoa wastes over 100,000 tonnes of food every year
• Kai connects us to tūpuna, whānau, and whenua — and we’ve drifted far from that
• Reclaiming kai knowledge supports food sovereignty and community resilience
• Reducing waste protects Papatūānuku and honours Hineahuone
• When we uplift kai as taonga, we also uplift ourselves, our identity, and future generations

Inside the Wānanga – What You’ll Experience

This programme includes four wānanga (online or in person), guided by kaupapa Māori values and tailored to the whakapapa of your local environment:

Wānanga One: Whakapapa
Explore kai in relation to atua, whenua, and your local environment. Connect your food practices with your rohe, identity, and whakapapa.

Wānanga Two: Māramatanga
Understand the changes in Māori kai systems, from pre-colonial practices to the impacts of colonisation and the challenges of today’s food systems.

Wānanga Three: Kaitiakitanga
Discover what you can do to value kai more and waste less. Explore local sourcing and collective actions that uplift whānau and whenua.

Wānanga Four: Manaakitanga
Share your learnings and make a plan forward. What can you continue as a whānau or community? How will you carry the kaupapa into the future?

Changing Habits in a Wasteful System

We know it can be hard to change food habits — especially when we’re surrounded by systems that encourage waste and disconnection.

He Mana tō te Kai offers a whānau-centred, tikanga-aligned way to shift those habits — through kōrero, reflection, and simple, empowering actions that restore mana to the kai we grow, prepare, and share.

What to Expect – Delivery & Participation

• Tailored by facilitators to reflect local whakapapa and environment
• Delivered usually over two to four weeks
• Whānau are asked to track food waste before and after the programme
• Shared kai is encouraged, especially in later wānanga
• Participation is free, but registration and full attendance are required

Take the First Step – Reconnect with Kai

He Mana tō te Kai is more than a programme. It’s a transformation.

If you’re ready to reconnect with kai, your whakapapa, and your whenua — or want to host this kaupapa in your rohe — get in touch with us.