Stories & Pānui
Mā te wā e hoa
Waiho i te toipoto kaua i te toiroa.
Let us keep close together not wide apart.
As summer fades and autumn arrives, here at Kore Hiakai we begin a new season as Wayne Paaka, our Pou Māori, moves on with his sights set on new horizons. While we say our goodbyes, and support Wayne as he transitions into his new role, we take this opportunity to mihi him, and to champion all he has done in our space for Kai sovereignty.
Welcome to our April 2022 Pānui
Me hoki koe ki tōu ūkaipō. Return to your source of sustenance.
Sometimes there’s a climactic shift in our reflections; a culmination to a series of events. Having trudged through all of the turbulence these last couple of years, Kore Hiakai return to our foundation of hope and health, and ask: How do we create pathways towards a food secure Aotearoa?
Whenua Warriors Foster Kaitiakitanga
What started as an epiphany five years ago that the food systems in Aotearoa needed to change, in order for food security and food sovereignty to be actualised, is now a thriving manifestation for the Whenua Warriors. Committed to collaborating and growing kaitiaki capability that honours traditional food sources in order to create sustainable solutions, this is their vision to grow food security.
Welcome to our March 2022 Pānui
Heria te taura tangata. Weave the people.
As we learn to live in Phase Three of Red Level, with Omicron cases on the rise in our communities, we remind all to be safe and to follow the guidelines put out by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development.
Welcome to our January 2022 Pānui
Heria te taura tangata. Weave the people.
Ngā mihi o te tau hou pākehā. As the new year dawns we stop to reflect, contemplate, and to think about the way ahead. We take this time to tally the lessons learnt and to think about how we can apply them to new, collaborative and innovative beginnings.
Christchurch City Mission pilots ASFPM
Since the worldwide COVID pandemic began during 2020, continuing its impact throughout 2021, it was evident from the beginning Aotearoa did not have a consistent way of counting the rising number of Food Parcels being distributed (or a standardised practice within the sector to quantify nutritional adequacy).
Welcome to our Mid-November 2021 Pānui
In a time when things are constantly changing, and the relentlessness of the COVID kai space is not abating, we are all continuing to adapt and rethink. It can be exhausting. While there can be a danger with compartmentalizing, pushing everything into boxes and fighting for territory, within it all there is also an invitation to see our cohesive nature in this food systems space - to find ways to connect, with each other, and across all the aspects of wellbeing.
Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland Collabs.
Many of us are optimistic and hungry for an Aotearoa where everyone has dignified access to enough good food, although lately times have been tough. As COVID lockdowns continue to have an impact on food security, we have seen community resources go down, workloads go up, and uncertainty rise.
Welcome to our October 2021 Pānui
As Tāmaki Makaurau remain in Level 3 lockdown for their 10th week, Tai Tokerau and Waikato are also Level 3, we humbly want to say “We see you! We acknowledge you and we remain in solidarity with you.”
Welcome to our September 2021 Pānui
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata. He tāngata. He tāngata. What is the most import thing in the world? The people. The people. The people.
Tēnā koutou. This past month has been a challenging time for us all. Foodbanks, community food organisations and social services throughout Aotearoa – especially our kaitautoko in Tāmaki Makaurau, experienced double, triple and quadruple increased need for Food Parcel support due to lockdown. We commend you all for being adaptive as you learnt to operate your services around the adjusted Delta variant frameworks!
Volunteer Champion
This world is a much better place for all the good people who authentically do good. Volunteers especially are often the extended threads in many of our champion stories. They are frequently woven into spaces where funding is constrained and resourcing limited, genuinely helping to make an invaluable difference.
Pānui August
Kia ora whānau,
We hope you are all safe and well! Thank you for all you are doing at this time to bring kai to those who are struggling to access it for whatever reasons during this alert level 4 lockdown.
We know that when we go to alert level 3 & 4 a myriad of support systems are removed for whānau whose incomes can’t cover their basic expenses. Without school lunches, breakfast and after school clubs, community gardens, community meals and wider whānau support the cupboards quickly become bare. Thank you for staying in this space and bringing hauora to so many.
July 2021 Pānui
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua
By caring for the land and the people the future will be prosperous
Aotearoa Standard Food Parcel Measure Launched (ASFPM):
Thank you to those of you who joined us for the official launch of the Aotearoa Standard Food Parcel Measure on Thursday 22 July. This is a significant step towards bringing a common voice across the community food space and holding the mana of those we serve.
June 2021 Pānui
Heria te taura tangata
Weave the people.
As we move through the depths of winter and experience a return to COVID Alert Level 2 in part of our country, we are reminded how we are all in this together. Kore Hiakai continues to be inspired by the amazing things people are doing in their communities to both meet the needs of those who experience poverty-related hunger and to create longer-term food security. We invite you to explore that with us…
Welcome to our May Pānui
Heading towards Matariki we know it is in our work together that the deeper solutions are found. We are grateful everyday for the many people and organisations who contribute to our mahi and to uplifting whānau locally.
In our pānui this month we hope you are inspired by the stories of others, find opportunities to connect and share your wisdom, see your contribution to how we are challenging the root causes of poverty and feel upheld in the amazing mahi that you are doing.
Taranaki Foodbank - Pātaka Kai
It’s not just about filling bellies with a pre-set Food Parcel for a North Taranaki Foodbank. It’s about delivering services in a dignified manner and utilising local resourcing to help make a healthier, more secure difference to those experiencing hardship.
April Pānui
2021 has started with as much flexibility required as 2020. It is incredible to see your adaptability and resilience as we attempt to meet the needs of whānau struggling to maintain food security during uncertain times. Kia kaha - we are in this together!
Māra Kai Make A Difference
By seeking solutions to support whanau in their community, Kōkiri Mārae are working alongside those most in need to steer the way out of food insecurity