Kai

Kai Ora Fund 2026 connection day in Kaipara

At the start of July we had our first Kai Ora Fund 2026 connection day in Kaipara.
Projects receiving Kai Ora Fund grants this year gathered to share their plans and aspirations for māra kai, food resilience, and community wellbeing. These connection days help build networks between projects that foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Projects that attended this session include:
🌱 Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae Society Inc – Accessible papakāinga māra kai supporting kaumātua, kuia and whānau to grow kai at home.
🌱 Whare Marama o Parirau Marae – Developing a marae-based māra kai to strengthen food resilience, wellbeing, and intergenerational learning.
🌱 Te Kopuru School – A bilingual māra kai project connecting tamariki to kaitiakitanga, mātauranga Māori and food growing.
🌱 Donnellys Crossing Community Group – Establishing a community food garden and sharing space to bring people together through kai.
🌱 Wild Side Charitable Trust – Expanding the Arapohue Centre food garden to support wellbeing, recovery, education and food security.
🌱 Te Uri o Hau Tangata Development Ltd (Family Start) – Delivering māra kai workshops that build whānau confidence and skills to grow kai at home.
🌱 Dargaville Intermediate School – Creating a citrus orchard that will provide healthy kai and learning opportunities for years to come.