The new Ōtara Maara Kai is a community garden designed as a non-plot allocated space, open to all in the Ōtara community. Managed by local kaitiaki (guardians), it provides a shared space to grow kai (food) and reconnect with the land. The harvest supports multiple initiatives:
- A portion is redistributed through the Ōtara Kai Village social kai store.
- Some is used for free community meals via the OKV Cafe.
- The rest is shared with the wider community.
Our Mission: Feed, Teach, Empower
Maara Kai is about more than just growing food. It’s a platform to reconnect our local Māori community with Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview). Many whānau in Ōtara are disconnected from their whakapapa (genealogy), marae, and Te Reo Māori. Through traditional practices of growing and eating kai, we aim to nourish not just the body, but the soul, while preserving cultural heritage.
Whānau Benefits: Collective Growth and Learning
Maara Kai is an opportunity for whānau to come together, fostering creativity and productivity. Here’s how it benefits our community:
- Skill Development: Building gardening and life skills that can lead to employment.
- Educational Activities: Encouraging tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren) to engage in healthy, cultural learning.
- Whenua Connection: Teaching collective responsibility for health, well-being, and respect for the land—true kaitiakitanga.
Through Maara Kai, traditional knowledge is passed down, strengthening the foundation of whānau and community.
Beyond the Garden: Holistic Benefits
The benefits of Maara Kai extend beyond food:
- Healthy Outdoor Activity: Encouraging physical well-being.
- Life Skills: Learning to plant, grow, harvest, and store fresh produce.
- Community Building: Creating a network of friends and mentors, sharing crops, and enjoying the satisfaction of eating food grown together.
Honoring the Legacy of Our Tipuna
In every step of tending and harvesting the garden, we honor the teachings of our tipuna (ancestors). They worked collectively, shared resources, and passed down essential survival skills to younger generations. These practices not only strengthened them but ensured their resilience in facing life’s challenges.
Maara Kai is more than a garden—it’s a living connection to our past, a shared responsibility in the present, and a legacy for future generations.