A small seed can sustain many
There is a whakatauki that speaks to kai production, ‘iti noa, he pito mata’, referring to a small uncooked portion of kumara replanted to produce many more.
In other words, with care, a small seed can sustain many people. From this whakatauki, we not only draw on the notion of potential from the seed – or kumara, but the quality of our soils for harvesting and fundamental interconnected relationship between our soils and people.
In Te Ao Māori the word for placenta is the same as the word for land – whenua; a place of nurture and growth. From a Te Ao Māori world view, without our lands we do not exist. People are the land and the land is the people; as is the symbiotic health of our land and our people. Thus, the vitality of our lands, and particularly soil, is innately important to our communities, environment and economy.
With the rising of the celestial event Matariki, signifying the commemoration of people and celebration of harvests, as well as being a time for sharing stories of the trials and triumphs of the previous year, this is especially a moment for us to be motivated by all parts of our kai supply. We are STILL hungry for an Aotearoa where everyone has dignified access to enough good food, of their choice.
As we reflect on the approaching ‘new year’, we especially consider our responsibility as kaitiaki – stewards of these lands, engaging with integrity with the sources of our kai, so that they maintain their state of vitality for the future. We remain mindful of United Nations sustainable development goals, including the urgent calls for responsible consumption and production, with encouragement to improve health, reduce inequality and spur growth while preserving and protecting our natural resources.
In order to recreate a thriving food system for Aotearoa, creating abundance for all, we must bring good care to our soils so that our soils can bring us good kai. We must also be committed to the ongoing relationships with all parts of our food supply chain, laying the foundation for inter-connected values, from the ground up.
Soil is often the reticent partner in our food systems; yet whenua plays such a pivotal part in our well-being and economics, anchoring a sense of connection and identity for Tangata Whenua and mutually grounding benefits for Tangata Tiriti (Tauiwi).
The quality of our food is directly dictated by the health of the soil it is grown in. Our soils are a medium for life and is itself alive. Soil is taonga – a treasure. Kore Hiakai celebrate the importance of this taonga which allows us to honour, reconnect and revitalise life-giving systems.
This Matariki we encourage a sense of unification through our common whenua, as we all look to the stars for inspiration on our journey together.
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.
By caring for the land and the people the future will be prosperous.
Kore Hiakai offer deep appreciation to the resources and individuals used to inform this piece. We especially drew on the wisdom from Te Mahi Oneone Hua Parakore: A Māori Soil Sovereignty and Wellbeing Handbook (Jessica Hutchings, Māori Soil Sovereignty: Advocating for the Rights of Our Ancestral Soils) and the Dairy 20/20 Project (Anna Mayne, AgRESTORE™). Nga mihi nui.