For whānau across Whakatū, the Māra Kai programme has been about far more than growing vegetables. Run by Whakatū Te Korowai Manaakitanga Trust, and supported by Top of the South Community Foundation, the programme has helped whānau build food security, confidence, and connection, season after season.

Through Māra Kai whānau learned about seasonal planting, growing from seed, preserving kai, composting, and low cost gardening. Home garden visits proved especially valuable, with facilitators working alongside whānau to make the most of what they already had. In one memorable example, an old paddling pool was transformed into a productive garden bed.

For many participants, the barriers to gardening, the cost and having the confidence to know what to do felt overwhelming at the start. But through practical, down to earth support, those barriers started to fall away. Step by step, whānau learned not just how to grow kai, but how to feel capable and connected.

"You offer a great wrap around service, a really non threatening learning space and good food," shared one participant. Another summed it up simply: "It was that good that I offered to volunteer."

Grounded in manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and connection to Papatūānuku, Māra Kai continues to strengthen food resilience and community wellbeing across the rohe, proof of what's possible when community organisations, donors, and whānau grow together.

To find out more about this programme and the Whakatū Te Korowai Manaakitanga Trust visit their website: https://www.whakatutekorowaitrust.co.nz/