‘Our whole people used to be growers, the whole area was a māra kai, the whole area was a kūmara pit to feed the marae.’

Gladys Nelson nō Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu

‘What are my memories of kai? Well, we grew our own kai. We ate our own kai. We had our own kai, and we always had plenty of kai – you name it, we had it...planting it, preparing, preparing to grow it...harvesting it and eating it. Sharing with others, gate sales – we used to sell it at the gate, make a bit of pocket money for mum. Yeah, that’s it in a nutshell.’

Arohanui Lawrence

’It’s better than going to the shops - so much more rewarding knowing that you got it yourself’.

Rolly Epps

Mai Kai embraces respect, exchange and balance. Bringing our best to the feast, we each seek to empower the kaupapa with our respective skill sets, thereby contributing to indigenous food security and food sovereignty.

Tohea, ko te tohe o te kai. Be persistent, persevere in food subsistence.