Iti noa, he pito mata
A small seed can sustain many.
This whakataukī refers to replanting a small amount of uncooked kumara to produce many more. It speaks to the relationship between people and whenua (land).
The final Nau Mai e Ngā Hua workshop focused on seed saving, a key practice in building self-sustaining gardens and strengthening kai sovereignty.
Healthy Families Rotorua’s (HFR) sustainable gardening workshops connected the community with the whenua through hands-on learning, helping whānau strengthen their relationship with kai and its whakapapa.
Held at Maraeroa Mahinga Kai in Ōhinemutu, the seed-saving workshop gave participants essential knowledge on gathering, drying, and storing seeds properly. The session also explored the whakapapa of kai — where our food comes from, its journey, and the traditional knowledge that ensures its longevity for future generations.
HFR Practice & Development Lead Pirihira Whata said the event taught participants technical skills and encouraged them to reclaim knowledge from their tūpuna and foster community connections.
“The workshop also connected like-minded people, creating a space where participants could share ideas, experiences, and aspirations for sustainable food systems.
“Seed saving is often seen as complicated, but through this workshop, participants realised that the process is quite simple. They learned how to gather, dry, and store seeds properly, ensuring they have a sustainable source of kai for the future.
“It’s been beautiful to see our community gain these skills and grow their confidence,” says Pirihira.
The workshop highlighted the importance of seed sovereignty, ensuring that whānau have control over their food sources.
Pirihira says by understanding how to save and store seeds people can contribute to a dynamic, sustainable food system that is deeply connected to whenua and whakapapa.
“This mahi is about creating a resilient kai system where our people are not just consumers but active kaitiaki of their food,” says Pirihira.
The Nau Mai e Ngā Hua seed-saving workshop was made possible by partnering with Maraeroa Mahinga Kai, Cushla Paice, Rotorua Seed Library, One Foundation, and Toi Tangata.
