At Lincoln Heights School, lunchtimes buzz with play, but it’s not uncommon to find tamariki knee-deep in the school māra kai (food garden), hands in the soil, learning how to grow and harvest kai. Guided by teacher, Jen Harris and kaimahi Augustine Kopa, this thriving initiative is part of Kāhui Māra Kai, a movement rooted in Mana Motuhake o te Kai (MMotK). Now in its fourth year, the kaupapa is blossoming beyond the garden beds, weaving mātauranga Māori, student leadership, and environmental care into the heart of the school.
The māra isn’t just a place to grow food at Lincoln Heights School, it’s an outdoor classroom where tamariki connect to the whakapapa of kai, discovering the history and story behind their food. Under the mentorship of Augustine, tamariki learn to plant, weed, and harvest, but also how to look after the environment that nourishes them. Kopa continues.
“It’s not just about what tamariki learn – it’s about the values they carry and the relationships they build with the whenua, their communities, and their culture.”
Following an energising refresher session in January with Systems Innovator, Christian Curtis, the school has reignited its commitment to embedding the Mana Motuhake o te Kai framework across more areas of school life. While the thriving māra kai remains a cornerstone of this vision, the school now looks to expand these principles into new spaces.
“The school has been enthusiastic about implementing MMotK for the past few years,” says Curtis. “They’re now at a stage where they are broadening their use of the framework into spaces beyond the māra.”
The school’s environmental group has flourished under Harris’s leadership, growing to over 100 passionate students in just a few years. The lively group of tamariki actively cares for the local Huruhuru stream, where they explore ecosystem health through a unique blend of western science and te ao Māori principles. The hands-on learning emphasises kaitiakitanga (guardianship), health and safety, and empowers tamariki to take meaningful action for the local taiao (environment).
“We’re nurturing a connection to whenua (land) and to one another”, says Harris.
What began as a māra kai initiative has become a living philosophy at Lincoln Heights School, one that connects tamariki to the whenua, their kai, and cultural identity. Now, as students tend the māra, restore the Huruhuru stream, and undertake other environmental projects, they’re not just learning skills, they’re embodying kaitiakitanga and food sovereignty in action.
For Lincoln Heights School, the next step is accessing local mātauranga, partnering with kaumātua, iwi, and community experts to deepen their understanding of the whenua around them and its stories.
Curtis reflects on the journey of Kahui Māra Kai and MMotK. “One thing that I’ve noticed is that community are already doing this work but aren’t confident using the framework. Exercising some caution is good but if your intentions are right, and you’re open to learning like this awesome school, then give it a go.”
If you would like to find out more about Mana Motuhake o te Kai please contact Christian.Curtis@sportwaitakere.nz
