Ka Ora te Whenua, Ka Ora te Whānau is an innovative programme developed by Ngāti Rangi.

This initiative aims to enhance whānau physical activity while simultaneously promoting environmental health through māra kai and whenua-based projects.

Four Marae from three paepae - Raketapauma Marae, Tirorangi Marae, Maungārongo Marae and Tuhi Ariki Marae - were supported with resources to help develop projects on their whenua, according to the needs of the specific paepae from October 2023 until July 2024.

The programme contributes to Whānau Ora, wellbeing of the whānau, by developing Whenua Ora, wellbeing of the land and environment

Ngāti Rangi entity Pae Whakahaumaru, dedicated time and resources to the construction and development of each of the māra.

Wānanga for the marae champions of the four māra and interested whānau we held, which included sight visits to the marae, workshops led by experts in māra kai, mātauranga Māori, seed-saving, and the maramataka, building connections to the whenua, the maramataka and utilising resources most efficiently in the community.

Ka Ora te Whenua, Ka Ora te Whānau, has a strategic goal to “seed, incubate and scale remarkable ideas” that will “shift current practices and systems that are necessary to make it easier for all New Zealanders to be active”.

Ihi Research was commissioned by Ngāti Rangi – Ngā Waihua o Paerangi to evaluate the impact of Ka Ora te Whenua, Ka Ora te Whānau. The funding sits under Sport NZ’s Hawaiki Hou fund.

Key outcome themes:

Whānau

– The project is fostering whanaungatanga through collaborative decision-making and planning. It's developing mahi tahi, a collective work ethic and cooperation among whānau members. The excitement of the māra kai is bringing whānau together.

Kaitiakitanga

– Whānau are asserting their role as kaitiaki by establishing values for māra kai that align with kaitiakitanga.

Mātauranga

– The project is providing spaces of connection to and transmission of mātauranga, reo and tikanga and opportunities to revitalise traditional māra kai knowledge.

Rangatiratanga

– The project is increasing whānau self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and dependence on te taiao while reducing reliance on a capitalist economic and supermarket food system. The māra kai are becoming a symbol of rangatiratanga and mana whenua.

Hauora

– Outcomes align with Te Whare Tapa Whā, Sir Mason Durie’s (1985) framework of physical, social, spiritual and mental wellbeing in te ao Māori.