Piritahi Marae and Transition Waiheke talk food growing!

On the morning of Sunday 10th August, around 30 members of the local community gathered at Piritahi Marae to discuss sustainable food production for the Island’s current and future needs. Towards the end of the hui, we got together in a circle to share ideas, aspirations and goals that had been discussed within smaller topic-specific groups earlier on in the morning. Here is a brief summary of these conversations and action points that resulted from them.

The groups discussing large-scale food production and manaakitanga spent the first 45 minute session as one big group, before splitting into two to discuss their respective topics.

Large-scale food production + Manakitanga

What kind of food should we grow?
We talked briefly about what kind of food we should be aiming to grow on the Island. On the one hand, the nutritional benefits and convenience of raw food was emphasised. On the other hand, the need for root crops and calorie crops in the immediate future was a concern for many. A compromise would be a gradual transition of our diets if this was necessary and/or desired.

How much food do we need?
There was a strong sense that the Island needs to find out how much food it actually needs to produce in order to sustain itself. It was felt that this would motivate people and help to negotiate more land and other resources. However, it was also stressed things could get started anyway

Permaculture and the social aspect of food growing
The principles of permaculture were highlighted, those of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share, which emphasised the social aspects of food growing vs. food bought in supermarkets. The social consequences of not growing our own food and relying, instead, on outside sources are particularly concerning. The social aspect of growing our own food was also explored through the remark “I can be a good gardener but can I be a good neighbour?” It was recognised that we need to support each other fully while we learn to grow our own food.

Food growing and the Marae
There was a strong feeling that the Marae could form an important hub for food growing on the Island after Eugene had given the group a brief history of food production connected to the Marae. This opened doors for co-operation and collaboration between community garden and community supported agriculture groups to work with NAME OF IWI to access more land and help out with the gardening. There is the possibility of the Marae having access to land belonging to the pony club for kai production and the support from the wider community for this to go through would be very much appreciated. On the morning of September 7th to celebrate the birthday of Kaumatau, Eugene would welcome your help in the planting of kumara at the Marae.

Goal: The group was in agreement that we should aim to bring no vegetables or fruit onto the island in the very near future.

The group split into two smaller groups to discuss the two topics in greater detail.

Large-scale food production: community supported agriculture

Land
Claire SURNAME has offered 8 acres. Fiona Baker has offered land near the airport. Laura Cornelius has offered surplus land. There is also the possibility of land through Simon Thompson (2 acres at Hooks lane) and John Stansfield.

Grower(s)
CSA is usually organised around one farmer, but in our case this could be  a group of people to share responsibility and to make the most of complimentary skills. The importance of knowledge to both grow food and organise its production was noted. Simon from Waiheke High School said that about 20 children could help with CSA projects and the opportunities for learning are many.

Misc
It might be possible to get HEHA funding for CSA projects. Also the distribution of locally grown food was considered, with both local shops and box schemes being possible ways of distribution.

Manaakitanga: people systems

Conflict
Despite being involved in many community initiatives, Paul felt that there has been a lack of discussion on social skills. Greater awareness and skills for dealing with conflict were advocated if community initiatives are to succeed. We need elders to manage conflict! James clarified that group numbers in Transition Town initiatives are not restricted to 6 and that the Transition Towns model acknowledges social skills, often in ‘Heart & Soul’ groups that aim to foster dialogue and engagement with people coming from seemingly opposing perspectives. Nevi mentioned the wisdom circle he is running for teenage girls and that this is a good way for teaching social skills. Rachel noted that a system called ‘non-violent communication’ could also be useful in this respect.

Education

Promotion and communication
Getting the message out is really important! Seedsavers and community garden groups have been successful in publicising activities through the Gulf News. It was suggested that a noticeboard be part of the GROW stall at the Ostend market to advertise community planting/education events. A calendar that noted planting days at the Marae would help to attract more volunteers. The Harvest Festival is also seen as an important event for promoting what’s going on in the Island regarding food production. An annual event with a community meal perhaps? They are also good opportunities for learning, such as the fruit preserves made by school-children and sold at the Festival – they were very popular!

Improving skills
Simon runs a horticulture night-class where he teaches gardening techniques and takes students around gardens on the island. There will be an eco-house alternative energy/gardening course happening soon too. Many opportunities exist for people wanting to know more about gardening. Community gardens and working bees at the Marae are chances for free hands-on learning. The GROW market stall and Garden Parties are opportunities to discuss ideas and to broaden participation.

Resources
James Samuel has many DVDs for teaching/inspiration. Simon can mobilise a labour force of enthusiastic school-children! He also has tools such as spades and wheelbarrows for use by community groups. It was suggested that a gardening skills-pack about growing food on the Island be compiled and made available. Recognition was given to Denise Roach and John Stansfield for their help in getting gumboots and compost.

Funding
The group was keen to explore the possibility of Eugene teaching a garden course open to everyone (koha) at the Marae (possible through HEHA funding?). The possibility of council funding for water tanks was also mentioned.

Health & Healing

Prevention rather than cure
Huhanga mentioned the important role that plants can have in protecting and strengthening our immune system so as not to fall ill in the first place. An awareness of nutrition and the Māori knowledge of plants were emphasised.

Civil defence centre
The Marae is an official civil defence centre that houses generators, medical equipment and food stores in the case of an emergency, Being aware of this fact and building up its resources were seen as important steps to building resilience while we still have the opportunity.

Actions

• Mark Parisian is offering seaweed for any community food-producing initiatives, just contact him.
• Get in touch with people through the participant record!
• Daniel Nepia will be running a workshop called ‘The work that reconnects’ at the Marae in the near future. Watch this space!
• Setting up of an annual calendar to include all related community food-producing groups.
• The film Ancient Futures, which talks about the effects of the global economy on peasants in Ladak, will be screened at Waiheke Cinema in the near future.

The following meetings are planned:

1. To discuss the formation of Community Supported Agriculture, Thursday 28 August 7.00pm at High School Community Education Centre
2. An informal ‘get together’ at Piritahi Marae on Kato Kauwhata’a birthday to mark the first stage of the kumara growing cycle, Sunday Sept 7th 9.00am. Just bring yourself and some kai for a shared meal afterwards! This will be part of a monthly hui at the Marae to cultivate and sustain the energy and ideas of community food-producing groups on the Island. This will ensure that food growing is better co-ordinated and enable on-going learning.

You can also contact the following people if you want further information about the initiatives mentioned above: Community Gardens Brian Griffiths 372 7662; Community Supported Agriculture Meriel Watts 372 2034; Transition Waiheke James Samuel 372 8737.