Celebrating Community-Led Change: Mana Motuhake o Te Kai Evaluation Released
We’re proud to share the release of the Mana Motuhake o Te Kai evaluation — a rich reflection on the journey so far and the collective impact of communities championing local food sovereignty in West Auckland. This kaupapa was born from the belief that communities hold the solutions to reclaiming their own food systems and […]
Mana Motuhake o te Kai evaluation July 2025
This evaluation looks at how Mana Motuhake o Te Kai is helping West Auckland communities reclaim their connection to kai (food) in a way that’s guided by mātauranga Māori and local knowledge. The kaupapa brings together marae, schools, kai growers and whānau to build stronger, more self-determined food systems. It shares real stories of how […]
Guiding Locally Led Kai Futures
Across Aotearoa, communities are reimagining their relationship with kai — drawing on deep knowledge, lived experience, and collective strength to shape food systems that reflect who they are and what they value. Supporting this growing movement, the Healthy Families NZ workforce co-developed a national theory of change for Kai sovereignty: a shared framework to guide […]
Mana Motuhake o te Kai: A living philosophy at Lincoln Heights School
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 […]
Kai Villages: A showcase of community-led food sovereignty in West Auckland
At its core, Kai Villages is about connection, care, and community leadership. This initiative is more than just about food—it’s about unlocking the potential that already exists within communities, supporting them to share knowledge, strengthen local networks, and shape food systems in ways that are sustainable, culturally grounded, and led by thepeople themselves. The Kai Villages Showcase highlights […]
Kai network helps unite community in growing Massey Kai Village
As the cost-of-living soars and access to healthy food becomes increasingly challenging, local residents and organisations are coming together to bridge the gap to ensure everyone has access to nourishing, affordable kai. Around the Massey suburb of West Auckland, the Massey Kai Village initiative is bringing together a network of partners in the local kai […]
Growing a new approach for kai security
In a time of intense socio-economic hardship and growing reliance on food support, local organisations play a pivotal role in leading collaborative and innovative approaches to build food security and resilience. Based in West Auckland, Seed 2 Harvest is a well-established food relief organisation that services all people, predominantly Māori and Pacific. Since 2020, Seed […]
Indigenous practices underpinning approach to māra kai and wellbeing at West Auckland schools
Teaching tamariki about the origins of their food – from garden to table – is well established in schools, but a new approach underpinned by indigenous practices and mātauranga Māori is having a positive impact across learning and wellbeing in several West Auckland schools. Over the last three years, ākonga at Westbridge Residential, Don Buck and […]
Whau and Waitākere Ranges Local Board acknowledge Mana Motuhake o te Kai in 2023 Local Board Plans
A collaborative tool to indigenise local food systems for the health and wellbeing of West Auckland has been acknowledged and referenced in the Whau and Waitākere Ranges Local Board Plans for 2023. Developed by Hoani Waititi Marae, Community Waitākere and Healthy Families Waitākere, Mana Motuhake o te Kai is a tool to authentically engage with […]
Mana Motuhake o te Kai Framework
Healthy Families Waitākere has engaged with several organisations and whānau on the issue of food security and discussed how to grow kai sovereignty in West Auckland. Kai sovereignty emphasises placing control of food back into local communities. If you would like to know more about this mahi, please email hfw@sportwaitakere.nz Mana Motuhake o te Kai […]