Healthy Families Rotorua was thrilled to co-facilitate the Rongoā Waitawhara: E Kai! wānanga this month, bringing together whānau and community members for a hands-on experience in integrating rongoā Māori and traditional Māori cooking.
Led by chef Joe McLeod and his dedicated team from E Kai Māori, the three-day wānanga at Kearoa Marae focused on revitalising food sovereignty approaches, encouraging participants to reclaim their culinary heritage.
Systems innovator and Kai Lead Lois Swinton described the wānanga as an opportunity to create lasting, positive change within our food systems.
“We recognise that food is more than just sustenance; it embodies our identity, heritage, and the knowledge passed down through generations. By embracing traditional practices, we empower our communities to reconnect with their roots and promote a healthier, more sustainable future for all,” she said.
Participants foraged for kai, identified various rongoā, and enjoyed practical demonstrations of ancient cooking methods, learning skills passed down through generations.
Chef Joe McLeod highlighted the importance of reconnecting to our mātauranga Māori cooking legacy.
“The disconnection from that has been incredibly brutal. Many whānau today have little awareness of their traditional food culture. When they saw how simple the reconnect was, it blew them away,” he shared.
The wānanga aimed to strengthen community ties through kai.
“Reconnecting with our cultural heritage may seem impossible, but it isn’t,” says Joe.
As participants gathered and prepared food together, they discovered the strong link between food and identity.
“The desire to return to our Māori roots and stand firm in who we are, underpins how vital wānanga like this are. While only one part of the bigger picture, kai has always been at the heart of unifying our people,” he added.
As the wānanga concluded, attendees left with new cooking skills and a renewed sense of pride in their culture. The Rongoā Waitawhara: E Kai! wānanga has sparked a movement to embrace and celebrate traditional Māori food practices, paving the way for future generations.
For more information on Chef Joe McLeod and the E Kai Māori team, visit www.ekaimaori.co.nz
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