About Kōanga Kai

Kōanga Kai is an initiative that encourages whānau rangatiratanga by building healthy and sustainable kai production practices, influenced by the traditions and mātauranga of our tīpuna. We support entities throughout Te Waipounamu to deliver Kōanga Kai programmes within their communities. By providing physical resources and coaching, whānau are empowered to participate in communal gardens or create māra kai in their homes, and engage in planting, hunting, gathering, foraging, producing, preserving and preparing kai.

Kōanga Kai is about self-determination and sustainability – kai production that puts whānau in charge of creating healthy lifestyles, and that is environmentally and economically sustainable. Scroll down to find a map detailing the entities that are currently delivering Kōanga Kai initiatives throughout Te Waipounamu and Wharekauri/Rēkohu.

 

Applications for Kōanga Kai open December 2, 2024.

 

 

“Kōanga Kai represents the energy of spring, new shoots of life and the excitement of possibility. It also links us to the legacy of Rākaihautū, who travelled throughout Te Waipounamu and carved out its lakes and rivers using his kō, or digging stick.”

Kōanga Kai stories

Kōanga Kai – Whānau Whanake

When Riwai Grace and his wife Cate decided to create a māra kai in Hoon Hay, they saw it as a way to foster intergenerational change – a place where struggling rangatahi in particular, could find comfort, connection and kai. 
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Kōanga Kai – Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, Rāpaki

Ngāti Wheke has a rich history of kai cultivation with produce used for trade in the 19th Century. Today, Michael Parata-Peiffer of Rāpaki is working hard provide whānau within his hapū with māra kai and he’s not doing anything by halves.
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Kōanga Kai – Aweko Kai

Jade Moana believes food insecurity is Aotearoa’s “gaping wound” and with people are queuing up for food parcels at an alarming rate, she is determined to do all she can to improve things for vulnerable whānau. 
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Other funds you may be interested in

Ā mātou pūtea

We have funding streams available for whānau living in Te Waipounamu, Rakiura, and Wharekauri

Tūātea is a next-generation wave social investment fund that gives whānau the agency to realise their own aspirations with targeted assistance for those striving to create a thriving business.

Tai Neke, Tai Ora aims to support kaupapa that help whānau to understand the importance of nurturing all aspects of their hauora, as well as building a connection to te ao Māori and to their hapori.

This is a contestable fund which supports rangatahi wellbeing, intergenerational leadership, succession planning and cultural development.

Tama Ora can help you create an event, project or programme targeted at keeping tamariki and rangatahi active.